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.
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.
“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
A: Starter feed with 20% protein, finely chopped greens, and clean water. Avoid large seeds or hard grains early on.
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.
Published on July 1, 2025 | Last Updated on July 1, 2025 by Rifat Ahmed
Rifat is the founder of Wild Bird Lady, a blog inspired by his own backyard birding journey in Austin, Texas. He shares hands-on tips, feeder guides, and birdwatching insights to help others enjoy nature at home. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him refilling a feeder or watching a pair of doves hatch their eggs nearby.
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