Identify Female Emus? Can you 'Foomph'?

[briefvisit]

I have had this cheeky thing in mind for years. As I've noted, much of female vocalisation is territorial. So any emus not in an environment with emus in all directions is perhaps less likely to vocalise.

We've had so much trouble with: 'Are my (captive) emus male or female?!'

Okay, so here's the thing. Almost certainly, any female emu who hears another will vocalise in return/raise chest feathers/walk sideways.

So you gotta learn to foomph. 'Foomp' is close. Ya gotta try and get the 'oo' from down in your chest -- it's the bass that carries.

I was out in the house-clearing with Limpy Chick Emu. Another female has been leaning on her dream: vocalising from a distance. So, right out of the blue, I tried to foomph.

Bingo!! Limpy Chick mistook me for Distant Female, and started vocalising in return.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Good to know! My neighbors will probably think I’m a little crazy, but in the name of emus I may try it next summer.

 

[briefvisit]

If only I had some decent recording equipment! I got foomphing goin' on all the time.