Emus have been unfairly mocked for years. Thanks to Rod Hull’s wild puppet antics, these birds have been wrongly labeled as the dumbest creatures on two legs. Turns out, science says otherwise.
A new study put emus, ostriches, and rheas to the test with a simple puzzle—spin a wheel to grab a tasty piece of lettuce. All three emus cracked the code on their first try, using their beaks to turn the wheel and claim their prize. Not so brainless after all.
Meanwhile, a rhea named Rascal lived up to its name, taking a more aggressive approach. Instead of playing by the rules, it grabbed the bolt holding the wheel in place, shook it like a madman, and sent the whole thing flying. It’s not cheating if it works.
Ostriches, on the other hand, failed the test. Researchers suspect they either weren’t as motivated by lettuce or just didn’t like bending down. Another possibility? Their brains are the size of a walnut. Not exactly a powerhouse of intelligence.
This study, conducted at Bristol University, is the first to show that these large, flightless birds can figure out complex problems. While they might not be crows or parrots—nature’s undisputed geniuses—they’re far from the clueless creatures pop culture made them out to be.
The takeaway? Emus can think, solve problems, and beat the odds. Maybe it’s time to rethink who we call bird-brained.
Five Fast Facts
- Emus can run up to 31 mph, making them one of the fastest birds on land.
- Rheas, like Rascal, are native to South America and can grow up to 5 feet tall.
- Ostriches have the largest eyes of any land animal, measuring about two inches across.
- Rod Hull’s emu puppet once famously attacked Johnny Carson on live TV.
- Unlike most birds, emus have calf muscles, which help them run with incredible endurance.
