What Do Emus Eat in the Wild vs. Captivity? A Complete Guide

By Rifat Ahmed – Birdwatching Expert with 13+ Years of Experience

Emus are the second-largest birds in the world, native to Australia and famous for their towering height, powerful legs, and curious behavior. But one question I often get asked on birdwatching tours is this: “What do emus eat?”

The answer depends heavily on whether we’re talking about wild emus roaming the Outback or captive emus raised on farms and in sanctuaries. Their diet changes with seasons, availability, and environment. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the full picture of the emu diet, comparing wild vs. captive emu food, and offering insights from over a decade of observation—plus references from trusted sources to ground our understanding.

Save

A Quick Overview of the Emu Diet

Emus are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods. Their long digestive tract helps them break down a variety of roughage and extract nutrients efficiently.

According to the Australian Museum, wild emus forage for fruits, seeds, shoots, insects, and even small animals. Captive emus, on the other hand, are usually fed formulated pellets, grains, and seasonal greens to ensure a balanced diet.

What Do Emus Eat in the Wild?

In the wild, emus are nomadic foragers. They travel long distances in search of food and water, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of Australia.

Here’s a breakdown of their typical wild diet:

🥬 Plant-Based Foods

• Seeds and grasses: These are staple items in the emu diet.
• Fruits and berries: Emus love bush tomatoes, quandongs, and native figs.
• Young shoots and leaves: Especially after rainfall when vegetation thrives.
• Flowers and flowering buds

🐜 Animal-Based Foods

• Insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, and ants
• Spiders and other small invertebrates
• Occasionally small vertebrates such as lizards

They are particularly attracted to protein-rich prey during breeding and molting seasons, when nutritional demands spike.

Save

“Emus have been observed tracking insect outbreaks, particularly locust swarms, which provide rich protein sources,” – Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Seasonal Changes in Wild Emu Food

Much like many bird species, emus adapt their diet according to the shifting seasons. Their survival depends on being flexible and opportunistic eaters, especially in Australia’s often harsh and unpredictable climate.

As someone who’s observed emus across different parts of Australia—from semi-arid scrublands to eucalyptus forests—I’ve witnessed how drastically their food choices change throughout the year. Here’s a detailed look at what they eat during each season:

Spring & Summer (Wet Season)

During the wet season, usually spanning from October to March, rainfall transforms the landscape. Plants grow rapidly, insect populations explode, and food becomes more abundant.

✅ Key Foods During This Time:

• Tender green shoots and leaves
  Emus feast on young, nutrient-rich vegetation that sprouts after the rains—perfect for fueling their energy needs during the breeding season.
• Fruits and berries
  Native bush fruits like quandongs, emu apples, and bush tomatoes ripen in abundance. These are juicy, high-energy foods packed with vitamins.
• Flowering plants and buds
  They often peck at blooming flora, not only for nutrition but to access nectar and soft flower heads.
• Protein-rich insects
  Insects like grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and locusts become widely available. Emus rely heavily on this protein boost, especially when molting or raising chicks.

“Emus actively follow storm fronts and rainfall, tracking fresh plant growth and insect outbreaks across the land.” — Australian Wildlife Conservancy

This is the time when wild emus are healthiest and most active, storing fat and nutrients for the leaner months ahead.

Autumn & Winter (Dry Season)

From April to September, as the rains fade and temperatures drop in many regions, food becomes scarcer. Emus must travel greater distances and rely more heavily on tougher, drought-resistant plants.

✅ Common Foods in the Dry Season:

• Hard seeds and dry grasses
  These become dietary staples, though they’re lower in moisture and harder to digest than the lush greens of summer.
• Roots and tubers
  Emus use their strong legs to scratch the earth and unearth underground bulbs, which provide both calories and hydration.
• Leftover fruit
  In areas with persistent vegetation, they may still find lingering berries or dried fruit remnants.
• Occasional insects
  Insect activity dwindles during colder, drier months, but emus may still find the odd beetle or grub beneath leaf litter.

Because food is less available, emus broaden their foraging range, sometimes covering dozens of miles per week in search of sustenance. Their strong legs and efficient stride (covering nearly 6–9 feet per step) allow them to travel without expending too much energy.

Water Needs and Adaptation

One of the most fascinating aspects of the emu’s seasonal survival strategy is their ability to go without direct water sources for days or even weeks. During the dry season, they extract moisture from:

• Succulent plants and roots
• Insect prey (which can be up to 70% water by weight)

When water is available, emus drink heavily and can consume several gallons in a single session. But in the absence of surface water, their highly efficient kidneys and moisture-rich diet help them cope.

“Emus are remarkably water-efficient birds, often going long periods without drinking—especially during droughts.” — Australian Museum

In summary, seasonal adaptability is key to the wild emu’s survival. Spring and summer offer abundance, allowing emus to grow, breed, and build reserves. Autumn and winter test their endurance, forcing them to rely on stored energy, dry plant matter, and their remarkable ability to find food in even the most challenging environments.

This rhythm of feast and scarcity has shaped the emu’s behavior, movement, and diet over thousands of years—making them one of the most resilient native species in Australia.

What Do Emus Eat in Captivity?

Feeding emus in captivity requires replicating their natural diet while meeting all nutritional needs. Captive diets are more structured and consistent, which helps with health and egg production.

Typical Captive Emu Diet

✅ Commercial Ratite Feed or Emu Pellets
These are specially formulated to contain the right balance of:

• Protein (16–20%)
• Fiber
• Essential vitamins and minerals (A, D3, E, calcium, phosphorus)

✅ Grains

• Cracked corn
• Barley
• Oats
• Sorghum

✅ Fresh Greens & Vegetables

• Lettuce, kale, spinach
• Carrots, sweet potatoes (chopped)
• Alfalfa or hay in winter

✅ Fruits (Occasionally)

• Apples (no seeds), bananas, melons
• Avoid citrus, which can upset digestion

✅ Insects or Mealworms
Often given as protein treats, especially to chicks or during molting.

“Balanced nutrition in emus is crucial for proper growth, fertility, and feather health. Deficiencies can lead to leg deformities and poor egg viability.” — University of Florida IFAS Extension

Save

Key Differences: Wild vs. Captive Emu Diets

Feature	Wild Emus	Captive Emus
Diet Variety	Very diverse, seasonal	Controlled, consistent
Foraging Behavior	Nomadic, instinctive	Fed by humans
Protein Source	Insects, small animals	Mealworms, formulated feed
Water Source	Plants, natural pools	Clean water provided
Nutritional Gaps	Sometimes lacking during drought	Easier to manage with supplements

Nutritional Needs of Emus

Here’s a closer look at the essential nutrients every emu needs to thrive:

✅ Protein

Crucial for muscle development and feather regeneration. Chicks need up to 20% protein in early growth stages.

✅ Fiber

Supports digestion and gut health. Forage, greens, and hay are good sources.

✅ Calcium & Phosphorus

Important for bone and eggshell strength, especially in breeding females.

✅ Vitamins A, D3, and E

• Vitamin A: Eye and skin health
• Vitamin D3: Calcium absorption
• Vitamin E: Immunity and fertility

Without proper balance, emus can develop health issues like stunted growth, joint problems, or poor feathering.

Common Feeding Mistakes in Captivity

Based on my experience visiting emu farms and sanctuaries, here are some common errors people make when feeding emus:

❌ Feeding too much grain: Leads to obesity and vitamin imbalance.

❌ Skipping greens: Some owners rely solely on pellets and forget to add fresh vegetation.

❌ No grit access: Emus need small pebbles or grit to help grind food in their gizzard.

❌ Giving harmful foods: Avoid bread, chocolate, avocado, and processed human food. These can be toxic.

Tips for Feeding Emus Safely

If you’re caring for emus or just curious, here are my best practices:

• 🧂 Always provide clean water – Dehydration leads to digestive issues.
• 🌾 Rotate grains and greens – Variety improves digestion and interest.
• 🧪 Use supplements carefully – Consult a vet if you suspect a deficiency.
• 👶 Feed chicks separately – They need higher protein and easier-to-digest food.
• 🧹 Keep feeding areas clean – Prevents mold and bacterial infections.

FAQs About Emu Food and Feeding

Final Thoughts from the Field

After over 13 years observing emus in both wild habitats and captive environments, one thing is clear: a well-balanced diet is key to their survival, health, and vitality. Whether you’re a bird lover, farm owner, or just curious, understanding what emus eat gives us deeper respect for these ancient birds.

In the wild, their diet is shaped by Australia’s changing landscape—opportunistic and instinct-driven. In captivity, we must mimic that natural variety while ensuring nutritional balance.

So next time someone asks you “What do emus eat?” — you’ll have a full answer, from native fruits to protein-packed pellets. And hopefully, a bit more appreciation for these feathered giants.