Silly Emu Pics

[Supreme Emu]

Okay, boys and girls, let's gather some data.

Warden, these photos are impressive because The Spazzy Dance is brief and random. However . . . they don't do it because they love you (though I'm sure they do . . . ). THEY DO IT IN THE WILD WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING!!

I have observed both chicks and young adults doing it, especially in the early morning (when I observe them when they turn up at the farmhouse for a feed). Could it be a sort of early-morning stretch? Is it cultural? That is, does it communicate something?

I have been puzzled by this for several years (and someone else posted some video of chicks doing it).

Supreme Emu

 

[tiffanyg2]

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Haha the Emu's do look like they are having a good time! 'Enchanted Sunrise Farms' Can I ask where you got your Sebastopol goslings from?? I really want to buy a pair~ did you order them online or from a local breeder?

 

[foulman007]

Mine always seem to do it after they fill up on feed . then they play the chase the leader game and finish up with a dip in the pond.
I have never seen my adults do it. In fact they just stare at the kids much like the old people at the mall with that what the heck look.

 

[The Sheriff]

Well I am old and set in my ways and will continue to believe they do it because they love me!

 

[Supreme Emu]

Well, to maintain the harmony that is so much a part of the fun of this site (I visit it everyday), we'll assume that there are two types of Spazzy Dance: Spazzydance Lovicus and Spazzydance Naturalis. The Warden's birds do their Dance – Spazzydance Lovicus -- because they love her, and others do it naturally – Spazzydance Naturalis*.

Good to see your post, Foulman. In the draft of the text I posted, I wrote 'chicks and adults.' Then I thought, 'No . . . only young adults!' So, we are in agreement.

This Chase the Leader thing intrigues me (as it also happens before and during spazzydancing): my birds used to chase each other – but no: it was always the alpha bird chasing the others.

Does anyone have any guesses about why young birds dance thus? Emu Hugger?


* The grammar is thus: he spazzydancelovicuses, she spazzydancenaturalises; they are spazzydancing; spazzydancer, etc.

Supreme Spazzydancer Naturalis

 

[foulman007]

Well here is one for you then. I have learned how to set off spazzydancenaturalises (awesome term S.E.) a quick high then a shrill low whistle followed by a quick bow will put them in a spazy dance then crazy run. If the temp here drops back into the 90's I might try to get some video for yall.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

OMG these pics are sooo funny! ALMOST makes me not completely terrified of emus!

 

[Supreme Emu]

Okay, Foulman, you've got me on the hook. That is very interesting!

Supreme Emu

 

[melodie_a]

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Really... wow.

 

[2buckskins]

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