My computer died; Ive saved my pennies; Im back on line.
Although I have heard a couple of anecdotes of scarily curious truly-wild emus, my theory is that the only generally ornery emus are sad paddock emus I mean no offence: Im not speaking here of beloved pets, but of emus that just . . . get put in a paddock or smaller enclosure. The other case, Ive no doubt, would be a wild emu cornered for whatever reason. Obviously, at the other end of the spectrum are the fabulously tame birds that I read about on this forum.
I find moving slowly in their vicinity, and talking quietly to them, keeps them placid. They do scare very easily, especially in ANY situation in which their movement is inhibited such as their having wandered into the fenced backyard.
I note for your information, Jackrooster, that I seem to be the only one on this forum who has tame emus, as opposed to pet emus. My emus are wild (wa ha ha . . . yeh right!!). I can tell when theyre in a pecksome mood. I call it beaking: they investigate things by beaking them. I let Greedy the Emu beak me on the head the other day, and it didnt hurt at all. I have absolutely no fear of my three, even though they sometimes fight fiercely with wild birds within feet of me.
Supreme Emu, Rocky Gully, W.A., Australia