Alternative name: Bennett's Cassowary
- Casuarius bennetti
Identification
Height: 110cm
Large blackish bird with long, strong legs, bony casque on head and blue and red bare skin on head and neck. Lacks wattles of larger species.
Distribution
New Guinea, New Britain and Yapen. Resident.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
The following subspecies are not generally recognised: Nominate race is found on New Britain, shawmayeri in the Kratke Mts of New Britain and goodfellowi on Yapen. In New Guinea, papuanus occurs in the north-west, claudii in north-central parts and hecki in the north-east with picticollis in the south-east.[2]
Habitat
Montane forest and dense scrub, usually above 1,000m and sometimes up to 3,000m.
Behaviour
The diet includes fruits, small animals, and insects.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Avibase
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Dwarf Cassowary. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Dwarf_Cassowary
