CASSOWARY
GENERALLY
(Casuarius casuarius)
Cassowaries are a large flightless bird belonging
to the "Ratite" family. The family name is
derived from the Latin "Ratis" meaning "Raft"
which describes the flat breastbone or
sternum which lacks the keel that acts as
a extra anchorage for the large flight muscles
of flying birds.
The name Cassowary is from a Malay name [kesuari]
for the birds There are 3 species of which the
"Southern Cassowary" is found in North Queensland
Australia. Normally Cassowaries are very shy but
when cornered can lash out dangerously with
their claws
- Population
A realistic population size is thought to be
1500-3000 individuals, though some sources claim
up to 10,000. About 40 Cassowaries are kept in
captivity in Australia
HABITAT
In Australia this large ratite is
confined to rainforests and associated habitats in northern
Queensland (see map below).
Other subspecies occur in New
Guinea and nearby islands.
In these tropical rainforests, the Cassowary
prefers stream banks and clearings.
DECLINE
Much of this rainforest has now been cleared, and the Cassowary that remain
are vulnerable to dogs, shooting, traffic when crossing roads, starvation
and, possibly, disease (Tuberculosis and aspergillosis-related diseases)
and nest predation and competition from feral Pigs. The main reason for
decline in the southern Cassowary population has been clearance of the prime habitat,
rainforests. Clearance for agriculture has virtually ceased but continues
for residential and tourist development.
Adult Cassowaries are occasionally shot, though this is illegal
PHYSICAL
- General Appearance (+ Colouring)
Distinctive. Tall, greyish bony casque (helmet)
on both sexes. Skin on head pale blue,
becoming darker down neck. Some red lateral
skin on neck also. Two long red-to crimson
free-swinging fleshy Wattles originate at the
front of the neck with an orange patch on the
back of the neck. Body black. Feathers
coarse hair-like
(bristle like) with shaft and aftershaft.
Short, stout green-grey or brown-grey legs,
feet same colour; three toes. Inner toe-nail an
elongated spike up to 120 mm.
Female Cassowary slightly larger and more brightly
coloured and more dominate. Size to 1.75 m.
approx (5 feet). Though unable to fly, the Cassowary is a good swimmer
- Colouring of Young
Hatchling downy; striped yellowish brown with longitudinal black stripes
to about 3 months.
Cassowary juveniles have a brown-bodied head and neck pattern like the adult
but duller, and also lacks a casque (helmet).
The body plumage becomes blacker with their increase in age.
- Helmet (Casque)
Grey in colour and slightly directed forward
this vertical bony helmet protects the birds
head as it makes its swift way through the
thick undergrowth of the rainforest.
The Cassowary is the only bird in the world to have any
type of protective armour
- Foot
Each foot on the Cassowary has 3 forward pointing toes with strong claws
to provide grip while running, the inner toe having a
12cm (5") long spike for defensive purposes when it
kicks out when cornered.
- Call
How to describe this unique call differs in every source
of information I have accumulated. They range from :-
:- Thunder in the distance
:- The lowing of a cow to its calf (when calling to its young)
:- Throaty call like a truck being started
Their call has been heard over a distance of 3 miles on a still night
- Eating
The Southern Cassowary is largely confined to rainforest
and associated complexes that can provide a year round
supply of fleshy fruit, most of which is picked up from
the ground. High variation in fruit production both
between seasons and between years appears to cause
movements of parts of the Cassowary population
The seeds of the fruit that they eat is secreted undamaged
thus the bird
has an important role in the dispersal of rainforest seeds.
They can also eat small dead marsupials and birds
BREEDING
The female Cassowary lays 3 to 6 large (5 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in) pale green Eggs on
forest litter and may be served by a number of Males during the
breeding season
from May until November deserting each in turn after the eggs are laid.
The male Cassowary incubates the Eggs for about 2 months then takes care of the
young until they reach the age of 9 months
To go to Cassowary 2 (My Personal Encounter)
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