What does the Emu eat?

The Emu's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Omnivore (primarily herbivorous)

How it forages

Emus are opportunistic feeders. Their diet consists mainly of native and introduced plants, including seeds, fruits, flowers, young shoots, and roots. They also consume insects (e.g., grasshoppers, caterpillars), small vertebrates, and droppings of other animals. They swallow small stones (gastroliths) to aid digestion.

When it feeds

Diurnal. Most active during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.

Explore the Emu