Adventures in Poland with Falconry Birds
Fred & Wilma the Emus
This crazy pair are young Emus. They could reach up to 2 metres tall in the next year and even though they are large in size, they are big softies who love the attention from people feeding them. Although they are not birds often used in falconry (raptors) they are still pretty much like living dinosaurs.
These 2 ratites are the second largest living birds on the planet and eat lots so they cost approximately 100zl per month to feed and care for, by sponsoring them you provide enough food for a month. 130zl covers food + vitamin supplements, 200zl covers everything we need to give them a comfortable life.
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
Appearance
Emus are soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds with long necks and legs, and can reach up to 1.9 metres (6 ft 3 in) in height. The emu is the second-tallest living bird after the ostrich, its ratite relative.
Food
In the wild they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently, but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises. You can come to feed them in their paddock. In captivity they eat special ratite formula combined with broiler feed, wheat, grains and almost any chopped vegetables and raw meats including chicks and mice like we feed our falconry birds.
Habitat
It is endemic to Australia, where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary can sprint at 48 km/h (30 mph).
How long do Emus live?
Emu chicks are fully grown at around 12 months, but do not mature sexually until around 18-20 months. In the wild emus live 5-10 years, but in captivity they may live 35 years.
By donating you...
Help us to educate people in more detail than above with public visits with our birds.
You are helping to protect the future of these birds in the wild as we raise awareness of ways to help their wild populations through conservation.
Please remember that Emus do not make good pets for inexperienced keepers. They require lots of studying, upkeep costs and correct housing on top of the daily care and attention to allow them a life as close to that of their wild populations as possible.