Alternative Names: Double-wattled Cassowary, Australian Cassowary
- Casuarius casuarius
Identification
1.5-1.7m Female Larger
- Black and Shaggy
- Horn Covered, Bony Helmet, to 17cm high
- Bare skin on Head Pale Blue
- Neck Dark Blue - Purple
- Unmistakable Crimson Wattles
Female
- Wattles and bare Skin Brighter
Juvenile
- Striped
Immature
- Brown turning Black with age
- Lacks Helmet
- Wattle Pink-Yellow
Height: 120-180cm, male shorter.
Taxonomy
This species is monotypic.[1], but some authorities recognize these subspecies (citation needed):
- C. c. johnsonii - Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea
- C. c. casuarius - Seram
- C. c. violicollis - Trangan
- C. c. aruensis - Wokan
- C. c. bicarunculatus - Aru Islands, northwest New Guinea
- C. c. tricarunculatus -Geelvink Bay, New Guinea
- C. c. lateralis - north New Guinea
- C. c. sclaterii - south New Guinea
Distribution
Seram and the Aru Islands, New Guinea and surrounding islands and in Australia in coastal north-east Queensland from Cape York to about Townsville. Resident. Common where habitat undisturbed.
Habitat
Rainforest and dense scrub, often near jungle streams and along forest edges, sometimes in canefields. Often difficult to see and best located by call but has become semi-tame in some parts of Australian range. Occurs singly or in pairs, sometimes small groups.
Behaviour
- Pairs to small feeding parties
- Shy
- Usually seen at edge of forest or in clearing
- More likely at Dawn or Dusk
- Occasionally aggressive if provoked
- Follows tracks to fruiting trees
- Swims well
Voice
Booming, croaking, coughing and grunting sounds, also a shrill whistle often uttered at night. Hisses in alarm.
Breeding
3-6 (usually 4) light to dark green eggs with coarsely granulated shells (140 x 90mm). Laid in leaf and grass-lined nest on forest floor. Breeds June-October in Australia. Male incubates for 30-40 days and tends young for nine months. Attain adult plumage in three years.
Diet
Mainly vegetable, particularly palm-nuts, fallen fruits and berries, some insects and other invertebrates.
References
- Clements, JF. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Southern Cassowary. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Southern_Cassowary
