The emu is a flightless bird second in size only to the ostrich.

They reach their adult height of five to six feet around a 12 to 14 months of age. There are no visible differences between sexes.  In general emus can weigh up to 150 pounds, live up to 35 years or more, produce for 25 years, and lay 30 to 50 eggs per season with some laying over 100 eggs. In the wild the male will hatch the eggs and look after the chicks.

Emu eggs are very dark forest green in color, almost black. The texture of the egg is different for each bird.  Each egg can weigh up to 1 1/2 pounds. Newly hatched chicks stand about 10 inches tall and have stripes like zebras, only beige and brown. These stripes begin to fade at two to three months of age.