Emu

Most active around dawn and dusk, these birds move through open grasslands, savanna woodland, and semi-arid scrubland in a deliberate, ground-level stride, pausing frequently to probe and pluck at low vegetation, seeds, fruits, and insects in the understory. Look for the distinctive silhouette of a large, shaggy-feathered, flightless form standing well above the surrounding scrub, and listen for the resonant, booming drum produced by females — a low, hollow call that carries considerable distance across open terrain. The best viewing comes in the cooler months of autumn and winter, when reduced heat haze and concentrated movement toward water sources make prolonged observation at open waterholes, roadside troughs, and creek margins in inland and semi-arid regions far more reliable.