From Opus

Current revision

Alternative names: One-wattled Cassowary; Singe-wattled Cassowary

Casuarius unappendiculatus

[edit] Identification

150cm. Flightless, black plumage, blue facial skin and casque on top of the head. Bright red or yellow neck and wattle. Very big, strong feet with long, dagger-like claw on inner toe. Both sexes are similar. The male is smaller than female.

[edit] Distribution

Northern and western New Guinea and surrounding islands including Salawati, Misol and Yapen.

[edit] Taxonomy

Nominate race is found on Salawati, Batanta and Misol, occipitalis on Yapen, rothschildi in western New Guinea, rufotinctus in the north, aurantiacus in the north-east and philipi on the Sepik River.

[edit] Habitat

Riverine and coastal swamp forest.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet consists mainly of fruits and small animals.

3-5 green eggs are laid on a well camouflaged nest prepared by male; the female leaves the nest and eggs to find another mate. The male raises the chicks alone for about nine months.

[edit] External Links