Southern Cassowary
Casuarius casuarius(1 photos)
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Locations:
Southern Cassowary
1.5-1.8 m. Female larger. Second largest native bird: black and shaggy, with a horn-covered, bony helmet about 17 cm high; bare skin of head pale blue; neck darker blue and purple with crimson wattles. Female: wattles and skin of neck brighter. Juvenile: striped. Immature: brown then black; without helmet at first; wattle pinkish or yellowish. Singles, pairs, family parties: shy; usually seen or heard at edge of rainforest or in clearings, especially dawn and dusk. Can be aggressive if provoked. Follows tracks to fruiting trees; swims well.
- Voice
- deep, thunderous booming; guttural coughing; young said to emit shrill whistles.
- Habitat
- dense rainforest, especially near streams, edges and clearings.
- Breeding
- June-Nov.
- Nest
- collection of leaves added to rainforest litter, often at base of tree or in grass at edge of forest.
- Eggs
- 3-5; very large, pale green, granulated. Male incubates and accompanies young c. 9 months.
- Range & Status
- coastal ne. Q, from Pascoe R. s. to near Townsville. Common where habitat remains undisturbed; vulnerable. Sedentary. Also PNG to e. Indonesia.
