Emus are some of the most curious, comical and misunderstood birds on the planet. Several of them live at Kaleidoscope Desert Sanctuary, where they patrol the grounds, inspect visitors and occasionally lean into a bathtub to see what is going on. Here is what we have learned living alongside them.
1. They Are the Second-Tallest Birds on Earth
Only the ostrich is taller. A grown emu can stand around six feet tall, much of that neck and legs, which is why they always seem to be looking down at you with mild interest.
2. They Come From Australia
Emus are native only to Australia, where they roam forests, grasslands and scrub across most of the continent. The emu even appears on the Australian coat of arms.
3. They Cannot Fly, but They Can Really Run
Their wings are tiny, but their legs are powerful. Emus can sprint at around 30 miles an hour and take strides several feet long. When ours decide it is time to run laps, everyone gets out of the way.
4. Dad Does the Parenting
After the female lays the eggs, the male takes over. He sits on the nest for about eight weeks, barely eating or drinking the whole time, then raises the striped chicks on his own for months.
5. Their Eggs Are Dark Green
Emu eggs are a deep green, almost the color of an avocado skin, and about the size of one too. They are one of the most striking eggs in the bird world.
6. They Make Drumming Sounds
Emus have an inflatable pouch in the neck that lets them make low drumming and booming calls. Females are usually the loudest. The first time you hear it, you will look around for a drum.
7. Their Feathers Come in Pairs
Each emu feather has two plumes growing from a single shaft, which gives them that shaggy, hairy look. The loose feathers help shed heat and shade the skin in hot weather.
8. They Eat Almost Anything Green
In the wild, emus eat plants, seeds, fruit and insects, and they swallow small stones that help grind food in the gut. Ours are on a steady diet and would still very much like to taste your sunglasses.
9. They Live a Long Time With Good Care
Well-cared-for emus can live 20 years or more. That is part of why so many end up needing rescue: they are adorable as chicks, grow into six-foot birds fast, and need space and care for decades.
10. Every Emu Has a Personality
Some are bold and nosy, some are shy and watch from a distance. Whitey, our white emu, is impossible to miss. Spend an afternoon with them and you will start to recognize each one by the way it walks.
Meet Our Emus
Kaleidoscope Desert Sanctuary is a 7.5-acre rescue and registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Morongo Valley, about 15 minutes from Joshua Tree and 20 from Palm Springs. Our emus roam the grounds with over 100 other residents. The Sanctuary Tour runs daily at 10 AM, plus 12 PM on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, about 90 minutes for $65. Visits are 18 and up. Book at kaleidoscopedesert.com/visit.
Can’t visit? You can become a Fairy Godparent to one of our emus from $30 a month at kaleidoscopedesert.com/sponsor. Your support goes straight to their feed, vet care and treats.
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