Emu

This week I just couldn’t go past this expression.

 

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
1/800, f/8.0, ISO 1250

 

Sometime during the current duck shooting season I’m hoping to join the rescuers as they search wetlands for injured birds; the expression on this emu seems strangely perfect as I contemplate the trip.

I visited Healesville Sanctuary this week and had a thoroughly enjoyable day. I especially enjoy photographing the wild birds that call the sanctuary home but couldn’t resist photographing the emu as I wandered past its enclosure.

Emus are Australia’s tallest native birds reaching heights of up to 1.9m, they weigh up to about 45kg. They eat all kinds of fruits, shoots and insects, along with small animals and even poop. Coprophagy is common with several animals, including rabbits, hares and guinea pigs all of which eat some of their own droppings to extract more nutrients and to keep their gut flora healthy. It is believed that emus eat poop as it contains undigested seeds and vegetable matter, and, if fresh, it also contains moisture which can be a precious commodity in dry areas. My apologies if you are reading this while eating!

Happy birding

Kim

 

Animals Australia Petition – if you haven’t yet signed please click the link and help to save 100,000s of native waterbirds

 

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