Emus

Emus are large flightless birds that grow to about two metres tall, have thick busy feathers and long thin legs. They are very much the goat of the bird world, eating seeds, plant shoots, insects, small animals, and even other animal droppings.

The female dominates the male during pair formation but once incubation begins, the male becomes aggressive to other Emus, including his mate. The female wanders away and may mate again. Meanwhile, the male spends the next 55 days sitting on his nest.

Kookaburra

Also known as the 'bushman's clock', Kookaburras are from the kingfisher family and are renowned for stealing the prized goldfish from homeowner's ponds.

The Kookaburra has a distinctive laugh which is intended to act as a warning to other Kookaburras. However to homeowners who have lost their prized goldfish, tha laugh may sound infuriatingly mocking.

Although they may be a nuisance, there is no doubting the Kookaburra's courage. They have a keen eye for snakes and rats and will kill them by taking them to the sky and then dropping them from a height.

Kookaburras live in family groups and are fiercely territorial, even to the point of attacking their own reflection in a mirror or window.

Rosella

Originally called Rosehiller, the name is derived from Rosehill in Sydney where it was first discovered in the early days of the colony.

Although beautiful birds, they are the bane of fruit tree owners. They seem to have an innate knowledge of when ripening fruit will be picked and will attack only days earlier.

Wedged-Tailed Eagle

A huge bird of prey, the Wedge-Tailed Eagle is the fourth largest eagle in the world. It has a wing-span of 2.3 metres and may build a nest 2.5 metres across.

It is usually seen soaring high with motionless wings but is capable of impressive bursts of speed when attacking a victim.

It primarily feeds on carrion and rabbits but will also take small marsupials, Dingo pups, Galahs or lambs.

Because they take lambs, they are often shot by farmers. This is short-sighted thinking for although they take lambs for a brief period of the year, for the rest of the year they take the rabbits that compete with the lambs for food or cause soil erosion. They also take Dingo pups that grow up to attack full grown sheep. Finally, by cleaning farms of carrion, they reduce the risk of blowfly strike.

Australian Magpie

The Australian Magpie is found all over Australia and is notorious for swooping humans during the breeding season.

Although the attacks may be a nuisance, the Magpie compensates by feeding on small snakes and insects. They also are popular for melodious carolling, often singing in company at dawn and dusk.

Galah

Galahs frequent open country in pairs or in flocks. As individuals they look rather dull, with a pale pink breast, white head and a grey back. But as a flock in flight, the wheeling birds present a striking spectacle of colour as they alternatively reveal their rosy breasts, white heads and light reflects off their grey wings.

When disturbed, they may raise with loud cries, hence giving rise to the expression "as mad as a gum tree full of Galahs."

Icon

1) The Rosella features on the Arnotts logo.

2) The Wedged-Tailed Eagle is the moniker of the West Coast AFL team.

3) The Magpie is the moniker of the Collingwood AFL team and the Port Adelaide SANFL team.

4) A Murray Magpie (piping shrike) represents South Australia on the shield of the Australian Coat of Arms.

5) The Kangaroo and Emu are two animals that can not walk backwards. As a metaphor of the great Australian trait to leave baggage in the past and look optimistically to the future, the two hold the shield on the Australian Coat of Arms .

6) The Lyre Bird features on the Australian 10 cent piece.

7) The Kookaburra features on the 1919-21 Trial Pennies & Halfpennies, 1989 Silver $10 Dollar Birds of Australia and the Perth Mint Bullion Silver - Since 1990.

8) The Kookaburra is the moniker of the Australian hockey team.

9) In one Aboriginal legend, Agoodenout, the keeper of the sun's fire, sent the kookaburra to awaken man and all the bushland creatures to the glories of a new day

Industry

1)Oil and meat- In the pioneering age, Emus were hunted for their oil. In recent times, Emu farming is a growing industry. Under good captive conditions, a pair of Emus may produce ten eggs a year, which yield on average 5.5 chicks. At the end of 15 months, these would yield 4m2 of leather, 150 kg of meat, 5.5 kg of feathers, and 2.7 litres of oil. Eggshells of infertile eggs are suitable for carving.

2) Pets - Cockatoos, Galahs and Rosellas are sold as cage birds.

3) Feathers - The tail-feathers of the Lyre Bird are sometimes incorporated into elegant hats.