Feathers, Fur and Fins: Observing an emu

SUBJECTS:  Science

YEARS:  F–2

Join Don Spencer as he describes the emu, one of the biggest birds in the world.

Watch emus searching for food and taking care of their eggs.

Discover what makes the emu different from most other birds.

Things to think about

1. 1.An emu is a type of bird. What does it look like? How can you tell it's a bird? What makes the emu different from other birds?
2. 2.Watch how the emu uses its beak and neck as it eats. The other small birds on the ground are pigeons. Notice how they are different from the emu. Can you spot the emus' small wings hanging at their sides? How does the male (father) emu take care of the eggs?
3. 3.Pretend you are an emu. How do you move? How do you get away from danger? Ask someone to guess what kind of bird you are. Now move like another type of bird such as a swan, kookaburra or eagle. What actions do you do that are different from acting like an emu?
4. 4.An emu hatches from an egg. Find an image of an emu chick. How is an emu chick like an adult emu? How is it different from an adult emu? Show how an emu changes from egg to chick to adult.

Date of broadcast: 12 Sep 1986

Copyright

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