The emu is a large flightless bird native to Australia, known for its size and speed across open terrain. Observers often describe the bird’s unusual movements as a kind of shuffling or “dancing” due to their rhythmic and elaborate nature. These behaviors are not random acts of play but are rooted in the emu’s ethology, serving distinct purposes for communication, mating, and survival. The emu’s dance is a collection of functional behaviors necessary for life in the harsh Australian environment.
Visual Description of the Emu’s Movements
The movements that appear like dancing are actually distinct physical displays, each serving a specific biological function. One common behavior is rhythmic strutting, often combined with a deliberate circling motion while the emu holds a formal posture. During certain displays, the bird will also ruffle its dark, shaggy feathers, causing them to stand away from the body and increase its apparent size.
Another action involves the emu’s head and neck, which can be stretched high or moved in a slow, snake-like, side-to-side pattern. The emu possesses small, vestigial wings that can be shaken or flapped slightly away from the body. This subtle wing movement is used to communicate or manage the bird’s physical state, not for flight.
Courtship and Mating Displays
The most elaborate “dancing” occurs during courtship, which typically begins as pairs form around December or January. These mating displays attract a partner and confirm reproductive readiness, often lasting through a five-month partnership. The female is the dominant partner in this initial pairing and often initiates the ritual, using specific movements to signal her interest.
The male performs a stylized dance that includes strutting around the female in a wide circle with his neck extended. His performance involves the slow, serpentine movements of the head and neck, which are thought to be appeasement gestures to the dominant female. If the male’s movements are unsatisfactory, the female may become aggressive and reject the pairing, making precision important for successful mating.
The female also uses her deep, resonant drumming vocalization, created by an inflatable neck sac, to signal her presence to potential mates. Once a pair is formed, the male must continue to perform these displays every one to two days to maintain the bond until the female begins laying eggs. This complex ritual is a sophisticated form of non-verbal communication within a seasonal social context.
Environmental and Hygienic Purposes
Many emu movements that look like dancing are routine activities related to maintaining hygiene and regulating body temperature. Emus engage in dust bathing, which involves sitting down and using their legs and wings to kick fine dirt onto their body. This activity resembles a frantic shuffling dance and is performed to remove excess oils, clean the feathers, and control external parasites.
The emu’s small wings are also used for thermoregulation on hot days. They are moved slightly away from the body to air out the bare skin underneath, which helps dissipate heat. The emu’s specialized feathers are primarily built for insulation.
Furthermore, the emu will sometimes stamp or shuffle its powerful three-toed feet against the ground to disturb the soil. This action is a foraging technique used to flush out small insects, reptiles, or seeds hiding just beneath the surface.