Blonde Versus White Emus

Welcome back to The Homesthed!

This post will be a brief overview of the difference between blonde and white emus, and how you can tell what is what when you're getting ready to purchase.

You may be wondering why it matters. The truth is, white emus are less common than blonde emus and thus typically cost more. There are some individuals in the emu industry who will sell what is technically a blonde emu as a white emu, whether ignorantly or intentionally, this allows them to charge more money than what the bird is worth.

Here is a white emu (Moonie) and a blonde emu (Teddy) side by side:

Let's take note of a few key features:

1. The white emu has predominantly white feathers with CREAM colored accents. They may have a sparse singular black feather here and there throughout their white feathers.

2. The blonde emu has predominantly cream feather with GREY/BROWN accents and the occasional black feather.

3. The white emu has a pink beak with black speckles.

4. The blonde emu has a solid grey beak.

5. The white emu has pink feet with black speckles.

6. The blonde emu has grey feet.

7. The white emu has a totally or partially icy blue colored eye (may also contain dark brown). Some white emus may have solid brown eyes, but it isn't common.

8. The blonde emu has a caramel or light brown colored eye. Some blondes may appear to have a blueish colored tint to their eye.

   
   

Both blonde and white emus have a great deal of variability, but the features listed above should help you determine if the adult emu is blonde or white. Additionally, Teddy (blonde emu pictured above) is a light-colored blonde. Some blondes may have more black or brown feathers around their head and neck area and throughout their body feathers as well. And others may exhibit darker cream colored feather as opposed to Teddy's very light colored base feathers.

Below is a white emu chick and a blonde emu chick side by side:

Let's take note of a few key features (similar to adults)

1. The white emu chick has predominantly white feathers and cream colored accents (spots).

2. The blonde emu chick has predominantly cream feathers with brown/grey colored accents (spots).

3. The white emu chick has a pink beak and pink skin around its eyes.

4. The blonde emu chick has a grey beak and grey skin around its eyes.

5. The white emu chick (although you cannot see it's legs) has pink legs.

6. The blonde emu chick has grey legs.

7. As chicks, both white and blonde emu chicks may have blue eyes. Their adult eye color does not develop until their adult feathers are mostly grown in around 6 to 12 months of age.

   
   

As always, The Homesthed is here to help you, whether or not you're a current customer of ours. We believe in integrity and we want to hold other breeders and sellers accountable should they be uninformed or intentionally scamming buyers.

We are just a phone call, email, or social media message away at any given time. Please feel free to reach out to us for assistance!