emu-wren, any of the three species of the Australian genus Stipiturus, of the songbird family Maluridae. In these tiny birds the narrow, cocked tail consists of six wispy feathers—in quality, like the feathers of the emu. The most widespread species, the southern emu-wren (S. malachurus), is streaked brown, with pale-blue throat in the male. Emu-wrens are shy inhabitants of wet and dry scrublands.