The male and Female Cassowary side by side. The male is smaller than the female.
Cassowaries are large, flightless birds that are related to emus and found only in Australia and New Guinea. The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) has glossy black plumage and a bright blue neck, with red colouring at the nape. Two wattles of bare, red coloured skin hang down from the throat. Cassowaries have stout, powerful legs and long feet with 3 toes; the inner toe on each foot has a sharp claw that can reach up to 80 millimetres in length.
A male Cassorwary in the foliage.
The name cassowary comes from a Papuan name meaning ‘horned head’, referring to the helmet of tough skin borne on the crown of the head. This helmet (or casque) slopes backwards and is used to push through vegetation as the cassowary runs through the rainforest with its head down. It also reflects age and dominance. The sexes are similar in appearance, although females tend to be larger and heavier. Chicks are striped black and cream, fading to brown after around five months. The adult colouring and casque begin to develop between two and four years of age.
A female Cassorwary in the foliage.
Size
Height: 1.3 - 1.7 m (4.2 – 5.5 feet)
Female weight: up to 60 kg (130 lbs.)
Male weight: 35 kg (77 lbs)
Height: 1.3 - 1.7 m (4.2 – 5.5 feet)
Female weight: up to 60 kg (130 lbs.)
Male weight: 35 kg (77 lbs)
The claws of the Cassorwary
Cassowaries are usually solitary, and males are subordinate to females if they meet. Females may lay several clutches of eggs during the breeding season, which runs from June to October. These are laid directly onto the forest floor and the male then takes sole responsibility for their care. The male incubates the eggs for around 50 days, turning the eggs and only leaving his charges in order to drink. He cares for his offspring for up to 16 months, protecting them under his tail if threatened.
The male looking after his young chicks.
Cassowaries fight by kicking out with their legs. They have a fearsome reputation, but their diet is composed almost entirely of fruit. These birds are important dispersers of a number of rainforest seeds, ranging far in search of fruiting trees
The southern cassowary is found in New Guinea as well as Queensland in north-eastern Australia.
http://www.arkive.org/southern-cassowary/casuarius-casuariusThe southern cassowary is found in New Guinea as well as Queensland in north-eastern Australia.
******
I have spent much of today researching this very unusual bird. I saw it featured in a "National Geographic Magazine" at my dentist office this afternoon. I came home and began learning more about these interesting creatures. I found it fascinating that the males incubate and take care of their young. I read that the males are less colorful than the female also. I hope you enjoy this information on the Cassowary. All of the info in italics under each photo was taken from the www.arkive Website listed above. There is more information at that site about these birds.
