emu

A flightless bird, the emu weighs 35-40 kg/80-90 lb and runs at speeds of up to 50 kph/30 mph.

An emu, photographed in Australian Capital Territory. Although they are flightless, emus can run at speeds of up to 50 kph/30 mph for short distances and swim well. They are native to mainland Australia and generally inhabit a large home range.

Flightless bird Dromaius novaehollandiae, family Dromaiidae, order Casuariidae, native to Australia. It stands about 1.8 m/6 ft high and has coarse brown plumage, small rudimentary wings, short feathers on the head and neck, and powerful legs, which are well adapted for running and kicking.

The female has a curious bag or pouch in the windpipe that enables her to emit a characteristic loud booming note. Emus are monogamous, and the male wholly or partially incubates the eggs.

In Western Australia emus are farmed for their meat, skins, feathers, and oil.

EMU

Abbreviation for Economic and Monetary Union, the proposed European Union (EU) policy for a single currency and common economic policies.