Wild Emus at The Lilly Pilly Tree

[briefvisit]

Last night, we heard two females vocalizing. One was the one we assume is Offsider: ‘jumbled’ and fairly quiet. The second was quite like the normal early-hours vocalization of a female in residence: a string of booms. Not quite loud, but much louder than Offsider’s efforts.



Were ‘they’ both Offsider? Did another female roll up at dusk, and roost? Was it Undersized Emu?



Stay tuned, readers.

 

[briefvisit]

https://imgur.com/faWa0TB

I don't even remember this. But it's Toosh Toosh's first clutch -- five chicks. Remember we were talking about the vigilance of Dads? Watch Toosh Toosh in this clip.

 

[briefvisit]

https://imgur.com/GFtw9Co

 

[briefvisit]

So, Undersized Emu? We recall that it was here about a year ago, in the company of a similarly-undersized emu.

Now look at this old clip above. It's another emu. We guess the clip was taken late in (a wet) spring -- it's not well into autumn because the chick would be adult.

But is it a chick? this undersized emu? Well, you can hear it cheep.

So, its black-head pin feathers and its cheeping tell us it's a chick; but look at its plumage!! It's the plumage of an adult emu!

????????

SE

 

[AntiqueB]

It's tiny.

Wouldn't it be odd for a chick to be with so many large adults?

 

[briefvisit]

Yes. You can see the adults give it a few half-hearted swipes.