<P> The sperm from a mating is stored by the female and can suffice to fertilise about six eggs . The pair mate every day or two , and every second or third day the female lays one of a clutch of five to fifteen very large , thick - shelled , green eggs . The shell is around 1 mm ( 0.04 in ) thick , but rather thinner in northern regions according to indigenous Australians . The eggs are on average 13 cm × 9 cm ( 5.1 in × 3.5 in ) and weigh between 450 and 650 g ( 1.0 and 1.4 lb ) . The maternal investment in the egg is considerable , and the proportion of yolk to albumen , at about 50 % , is greater than would be predicted for a precocial egg of this size . This probably relates to the long incubation period which means the developing chick must consume greater resources before hatching . The first verified occurrence of genetically identical avian twins was demonstrated in the emu . The egg surface is granulated and pale green . During the incubation period , the egg turns dark green , although if the egg never hatches , it will turn white from the bleaching effect of the sun . </P>
<P> The sperm from a mating is stored by the female and can suffice to fertilise about six eggs . The pair mate every day or two , and every second or third day the female lays one of a clutch of five to fifteen very large , thick - shelled , green eggs . The shell is around 1 mm ( 0.04 in ) thick , but rather thinner in northern regions according to indigenous Australians . The eggs are on average 13 cm × 9 cm ( 5.1 in × 3.5 in ) and weigh between 450 and 650 g ( 1.0 and 1.4 lb ) . The maternal investment in the egg is considerable , and the proportion of yolk to albumen , at about 50 % , is greater than would be predicted for a precocial egg of this size . This probably relates to the long incubation period which means the developing chick must consume greater resources before hatching . The first verified occurrence of genetically identical avian twins was demonstrated in the emu . The egg surface is granulated and pale green . During the incubation period , the egg turns dark green , although if the egg never hatches , it will turn white from the bleaching effect of the sun . </P>
which large australian bird lays big green eggs
which large australian bird lays big green eggs
emu
emu