Crazy birds: Adorable emus are girl's best friend
BARCROFT MEDIA The emus live with Alicia Speranza and daughter Hailey (pictured)
The inseparable pair live with owner Alicia Speranza, 31 and her daughter Hailey, 11 in Walworth, New York. Emus Phoenix and Stella have been living with the family since they were just a few weeks old and are the best of friends despite being born months apart. Alicia said: "Phoenix hatched on May 9, 2016 from a single emu egg. We wanted a companion female emu for Phoenix, so we waited for a female to be listed. Stella hatched on June 12, 2016 on a small farm in upstate New York. She was listed online and was a month old when we got her, July 10, 2016.
He had never seen another emu before so when he first saw Stella he was very excited! He affectionately pecked her head and seemed to know right away they were alike Alicia Speranza
The duo gradually warmed towards one another as they had never seen another emu before, however the awkwardness quickly turned to a fondness and they have been inseparable ever since. Mrs Speranza said: "He had never seen another emu before so when he first saw Stella he was very excited! He affectionately pecked her head and seemed to know right away they were alike. "As soon as Stella started to feel more comfortable she looked to him as the leader and began to follow him everywhere he went. This worked out perfectly because Phoenix had already imprinted on me as his parent so he followed me everywhere I went.
BARCROFT MEDIA Pheonix and Stella love when Hailey is around
"Phoenix was already a month older than Stella, and since emus grow two inches per week, she was less than half his size." The family home being located in rural New York provides all the space a couple of roadrunners could possibly want and Hailey acts as the perfect playmate for the flightless birds. Mrs Speranza said: "Phoenix and Stella love when Hailey is around. She loves to jump and dance, and so do Phoenix and Stella.
BARCROFT MEDIA A full grown emu can grow over 6 feet in height
"Hailey loves to get them in the mood to play by running up to them and doing silly things. They are so amazing to watch as they all run together. Hailey can't get enough of them and she is so proud to have them as her pets." As the second tallest birds in the world emus grow up to two inches per week after hatching and are fully grown within six months. A full grown emu can grow over 6 feet in height and on average weighs around 90lb making them a bit of handful for a common house pet.
BARCROFT MEDIA Emus are the tallest birds in the world