Emu vs Resplendent Quetzal
Dromaius novaehollandiae comparé à Pharomachrus mocinno
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Emu | Resplendent Quetzal |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Dromaius novaehollandiae | Pharomachrus mocinno |
| Ordre | Casuariiformes | Trogoniformes |
| Famille | Dromaiidae | Trogonidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Longueur | 175,0 cm (68.9 in) | 36,0 cm (14.2 in) |
| Envergure | 20,0 cm (7.9 in) | 50,0 cm (19.7 in) |
| Poids | 45000,0 g (1587.33 oz) | 210,0 g (7.41 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Plants, seeds, fruits, flowers, and insects. Swallows large stones and charcoal to grind food in … | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … |
| Taille de la couvée | 5-24 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Emu
Open grasslands, savanna woodlands, scrublands, and semi-arid plains across Australia. Avoids dense forest and true desert.
Resplendent Quetzal
Montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters. Requires old-growth forest with dead trees for nesting cavities.
Song & Call Comparison
Emu
Deep, resonant booming grunt 'e-moo', often repeated 3 times. Females give a deep drumming call produced by an inflatable throat pouch. Generally low-pitched and far-carrying.
Resplendent Quetzal
Melodious, repetitive cooing: a series of 'kowee-kowee-kowee' or 'woh-woh-woh-woh' phrases. Male sings from high exposed perches in cloud forest canopy. Evocative highland call.
Geographic Range & Migration
Emu
Throughout mainland Australia. Absent from Tasmania, where the Tasmanian emu was driven to extinction by 1850.
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
Statut de conservation
Emu
Resplendent Quetzal
How to Tell Them Apart
Emu
Shaggy grey-brown plumage with double-shafted feathers giving a loose, hair-like appearance. Bare blue skin on the face and neck.
Broad, flat, dark grey bill
Resplendent Quetzal
Males have iridescent emerald-green upperparts, a crimson-red breast, and extraordinarily long green tail coverts streaming up to 65 cm beyond the tail. Females are duller with grey breasts.
Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers
About These Birds
Emu
The emu is the second-tallest living bird and the largest bird native to Australia. It is the only bird with calf muscles, enabling powerful running at up to 50 km/h. In the famous Emu War of 1932, the Australian military was deployed against crop-raiding emus — and the emus arguably won.
Resplendent Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal was considered divine by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, associated with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Its iridescent green plumage and long tail streamers make it one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Guatemala's currency is named after this bird.