Three Subspecies of EMU:

[Emu Bangalore]

Three Subspecies of EMU:

1. novaehollandiae novaehollandiae –

silhouette D. novaehollandiae novaehollandiaeOn maturity and during
breeding season, these birds have a cream-colored (or whitish) ruff or
bib of feathers starting a few inches below the head. The pendulous
pouch is larger than in other two sub-species and sways during strut.

The metatarsus bone is shorter with a larger diameter. The body is
wider than the other two sub-species. This sub-specie originated in
southeastern Australia.

2. novaehollandiae woodwardi –

silhouette D. novaehollandiae woodwardiOn maturity and during breeding
season these birds have a ruff or bib of feathers starting a few
inches below the head. This ruff appears darker than that of the
novaehollandiae novaehollandiae and the pendulous pouch is not as
apparent. The body is slender and the legs longer than that of
novaehollandiae novaehollandiae. Overall the feathers are paler than
the other two subspecies. This sub-specie originated in northern
Australia.

3. novaehollandiae rothschildi –

Silhouette D. novaehollandiae rothschildiOn maturity this bird does
not have a ruff or bib. It looks ‘flat-chested’ compared to the other
two sub-species. The pendulous pouch is almost non-existent in this
emu. Like the novaehollandiae woodwardi, the metatarsus bone is long
with a small diameter, making this bird taller than novaehollandiae
novaehollandiae. The feathers are the darkest of the three sub-
species. This subspecies originates in southwestern Australia.