Rare Photo of 'Shepherding'

[briefvisit]

I was asked a while ago about territorial behavior.


This photo is rare, perhaps unique. It shows Felicity Emu ‘shepherding’ a group of five wild emus off her turf. It was just the case -- my formal observations ended years ago –- that I was going for a walk, but ducked back inside for a camera, and was then able to skirt the goings-on, to position myself for the photo.


So, emus are able to finely judge each other’s abilities. Without more than a glance, Felicity knew that she could drive this group off, and proceeded to do so. From a different angle, you’d be able to her raised ruff. Both parties vocalized, but the interlopers withdrew steadily before Felicity, and I managed to get this shot about three hundred meters beyond the edge of the house-clearing.

The degrees of interaction in such situations extend from long periods of stalemate staring at close quarters to immediate attacks -- I've seen Greedy Emu single-handedly attack a group of twelve wild emus, and do so without premeditation.

View attachment 1134380

 

[chicknmania]

Isn't this a trail cam shot?

 

[briefvisit]

Tee hee -- not sure. I outflanked the group, which was vocalising, and then managed to get the shots while the wild birds were moving away.

EDIT: 'trail shot' -- hmmmm . . . a camera left set up to photograph birds know to move in an area? No. Wish I had one. All I have ever been able to manage is poor-quality shots taken with my smartphone.

The birds are moving along a 'drain' in a section of overgrown blue gums just away from the house-clearing.

S.E.