Six stripy and gangly emu chicks have arrived at Sydney Wildlife World’s Nursery. In a specially designed exhibit, visitors have the chance to get up close to the cute cream-striped chicks, which are currently only 30cm tall. Keepers will be on hand to answer questions and visitors can even pat the chicks during our keeper talks.       

Emus are Australia’s largest bird and the second largest birds in the world reaching a height of two meters. So, at 30cm tall these babes still have a lot of growing to do. But emu chicks are fast growing; reaching their full height in 12 to 14 months. In a few months the chicks will be big enough to join the red kangaroos in the semi-arid habitat.

Strangely these native Australian birds are water babies! When wandering they can swim across rivers if necessary but their favourite thing to do in the water is play. On hot days, they can be seen rolling on their backs, in the water, and kicking their legs in the air.

Sydney Wildlife World’s bird keeper, Ashleigh McQueen, said, 'We’re really excited to have these gorgeous chicks here at Sydney Wildlife World. People are often surprised by their size at only a few weeks after birth. Particularly when they compare them to the size of their dark-green eggs that we also have on display, it really is a squashy fit! People really enjoy watching them find their legs. As adults they can reach speeds of 50km/h when in full stride and these little ones are doing their best to improve their pace'. 

Did you know?
• The emu is the largest bird in Australia and the second largest in the world after the ostrich
• Emus are flightless birds
• Emus have long necks, sharp beaks and small ears. They have two sets of eyelids, one for blinking and one to keep out dust
• They have long feet and only three toes
• Males make a grunting sound like a pig and females make a loud booming sound
• Emus pair in the summer and breed in the cooler months
• The male builds a rough nest from bark, grass, sticks and leaves, in a hollow on the ground. Every second or third day, the female lays a very large, thick-shelled, dark green egg. The male becomes broody after about the seventh egg. He sits on the clutch of eggs to incubate them, in between the times when the female lays more eggs. Nests usually have clutches of 8 to 10 eggs, but there can reach up to 20
• For eight weeks the male stays on the nest, surviving on his accumulated body fat and any morning dew that he can reach. He stands up only to turn the eggs, about 10 times a day. Despite his efforts, goannas, eagles and hawks attack the eggs
• Emus feed on grains, flowers, berries, soft shoots, insects, grubs and whatever else they can find. They even eat stones and dirt.

Sydney Wildlife World Press Release