The rooster plays the leading role in raising their chicks: he incubates the eggs laid by the hen in a shallow depression in the ground for about 60 days! During this time, he goes without food and survives solely on his fat reserves. He stands up only to turn the eggs regularly, which he does about 10 times a day. During this time, the male survives solely on his stored body fat and consumes only the moisture he can reach from the nest in the form of morning dew. After the chicks hatch, the male becomes highly aggressive and may even attack humans or females that remain in the territory. This close father-child bond lasts five to seven months, sometimes even longer. Emu fathers aren’t picky—the female often lays eggs in the nest that were fertilized by another emu!

In Herberstein, emu dad Emilio has his hands full: two chicks recently hatched and still need all his attention and support. “We’re watching the rearing of the chicks very closely, because this is the first brood in a long time and the father is inexperienced. But he’s doing an excellent job!” reports Reinhard Pichler, zoological director of Tierwelt.

Emus are flightless ratites nearly two meters tall that can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h.