So, what we’re getting, readers, is a very ‘uncluttered’ insight into how GB Emu is ‘coming out’ in the (Emu) world.
First, let’s note A Bigger Thing: most readers have some ‘paddock emus.’ You get to observe them much closer than I do. I’ve never hugged an emu. (They object.) But your ‘area of observation’ is far from complete. The fact of captivity skews the value of (some of) your observations greatly.
Likewise, my observations are less than perfect; but they are of wild emus.
Over years, we have pieced together our observations. Some things we know a lot about. Some things we are making wild guesses about. Some things are an ‘hypothesis in progress.’
Well, GB Emu and Consort are ‘an hypothesis.’ Felicity Emu didn’t mate until her fifth year. It became clear around then that a ‘third year female’ – two years and a few days – is like a teenager at a prom. She is learning the mating game, unprepared to tackle older more powerful birds.
GB, you recall, is not a member of Eric’s family. She is the first ever ‘walk in’: she arrived as a chick in her second year, with another chick that was likely her sibling. She figured out that wheat is Yummy, and just stayed! Consorts and various strays have got a peck or two of wheat over the years; but no wild bird has ever just set up shop.
Now we get to work:
GB is just days into her third year. She already has what appears to be a consort – he’s been around for weeks now.
They talk to each other, from moving from the roost to sitting down for their wheat together. (There has been a second female vocalizing some mornings of late.)
The other day we reported GB and Consort driving an interloper off – territorial defense! We note that they have formed a breeding-pair long long before the ususal time.
In recent days, the pair has been coming and going. They spend a day away, and turn up for a feed.
How far do they roam when away? We don’t know.
SE
PS Dawns are already coming noticeably earlier. Fine!! Bird song has been superlative.
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