The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. It is endemic to Australia where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. The emu's range covers most of mainland Australia, but the Tasmanian emu and King Island emu subspecies became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788. The bird is sufficiently common for it to be rated as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Emus are soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds with long necks and legs, and can reach up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) in height. Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary can sprint at 50 km/h (30 mph); they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently, but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises.

Breeding takes place in May and June, and fighting among females for a mate is common. Females can mate several times and lay several clutches of eggs in one season. The male does the incubation; during this process he hardly eats or drinks and loses a significant amount of weight. The eggs hatch after around eight weeks, and the young are nurtured by their fathers. They reach full size after around six months, but can remain as a family unit until the next breeding season. The emu is an important cultural icon of Australia, appearing on the coat of arms and various coins. The bird features prominently in Indigenous Australian mythology.

Emu is a puppet emu given to British entertainer Rod Hull in the 1960s while he was presenting a children's breakfast television programme in Australia. Hull adopted the mute puppet for his cabaret act, and took it with him to the United Kingdom when he returned in 1970. The character was given a mischievous and sometimes aggressive onstage persona, attacking celebrity guests (and Hull himself) for comic effect. Hull and Emu also appeared on several episodes of The Hudson Brothers' comedy show in the United States.

Revival

Hull's son Toby Hull returned Emu to television on CITV in October 2007. The new persona of Emu vocalises, allowing viewers to understand what the character is thinking. Emu is controlled by an unseen puppeteer, allowing his handler Toby to move around independently. The series is set in a modern apartment block where no pets are allowed, so Emu has to beware of his next door neighbour, Sophie.

Emu's other neighbours are two young cousins, Charlie and Dani, who help Emu outwit Sophie, who wants to use Emu as a quick way to make money. While Toby is oblivious to Sophie's scheming, Charlie, Dani, and Emu know her true colours. Toby also has to keep Emu a secret from Ken Cole, a grumpy security guard.

Emu was a 220-ton merchant ship and convict ship that transported convicts to Australia. She was captured by an American privateer in 1812.

Career

Governor Lachlan Macquarie requested on 30 April 1810 that the British Government supply the colony with two brigs (colonial ships) that would not be subject to the control of the Admiralty. The British government provided Emu and Kangaroo.

Lieutenant Alexander Bisset received a letter of marque for Emu on 21 September 1812.Emu left England in October 1812 with 49 female convicts.

While she was en route to Hobart Town, the American 18-gun privateer Holkar, Captain J. Rolland, captured her on 30 November 1812 in the Atlantic. Her captors put 22 crew and the 49 female convicts ashore on 17 January 1813 at Porto Grande on the island of St Vincent (now São Vicente) in the Cape Verde Islands. A prize crew took Emu to Newport, Rhode Island where she was sold.

After 12 months Isabella picked up Emu's captain, crew, and convicts and returned them to England. The convicts were placed on a hulk in Portsmouth harbour and subsequently sent aboard the transport Broxbornebury to Port Jackson.