Emus on parade at Stenhouse Bay
Emus, Stenhouse Bay, Yorke Peninsula
On our recent holiday on the Yorke Peninsula we had lunch at Marion Bay, visited the visitor centre of the Innes National Park and then continued on driving through the park near Stenhouse Bay. We stopped many times to admire the scenery, take photos of landscapes and seascapes and check out the bird and plant life.
One species of bird virtually came to us. A small flock of 5 juvenile Emus wandered along the side of the road quite unconcerned that we were only metres away. They are certainly unafraid of vehicles passing by as this happens many times every day in parks like this. They just went about their business finding their lunch.
This group consisted of juveniles probably about 18 – 24 months old. The female Emu lays up to about a dozen eggs in a shallow nest on the ground. The male then incubates the eggs and looks after the young for up to 2 years after hatching. The birds we saw were over half grown and independent of the father, so I’m guessing they’d have to be at least 18 months old.
Emus, Stenhouse Bay, Yorke Peninsula
Emus, Stenhouse Bay, Yorke Peninsula
Emus at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Male Emu with chicks at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
When the open range zoo at Monarto near Adelaide was established, the perimeter fence enclosed some Emus inside them. These have now bred and are quite numerous in the various areas not inside the animal enclosures. I guess they wouldn’t last long in the lion or cheetah enclosures!
On our last visit we were delighted to see the male shown in the photo above. He is looking after a small group of chicks, resplendent in their striped plumage. On the bus tours we took through the zoo I took the photos below. At least one of them was taken while we were hiking from one exhibit to another.
Emu at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Emu at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Emu at Monarto Zoo, South Australia