Emu family

Thanks to everyone for all of the favourites and wonderful comments for my Noisy Miner yesterday. Glad you liked him. He let me get up close in the hope that I might have food for him! 

Back on my bird theme again today, this time a much larger version – this emu family in the Belair Park. We are blessed with this wonderful wildlife right on our doorstep.

The emu /Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. The emu is common over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest and arid areas. 

The soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds reach up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) in height. They have long thin necks and legs. Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 50 km/h (31 mph). Their long legs allow them to take strides of up to 275 centimetres (9.02 ft) 

They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without food. They drink infrequently, but take in copious fluids when the opportunity arises. Emus will sit in water and are also able to swim. They are curious birds who are known to follow and watch other animals and humans.