Southern Cassowary
ExploreBirds
Southern Cassowary
Casuarius casuarius
The Southern Cassowary is a large, flightless bird with a colorful neck and a helmet-like crest! They are known for their speed and can run very fast.
Habitat: Tropical rainforests
Appearance
The Southern Cassowary is a very large, flightless bird with glossy black feathers. It has a tall, bony casque on its head, and bright blue and red skin on its neck and wattle, making it unmistakable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCasuariiformesFamilyCasuariidaeGenusCasuarius
Category
BirdsRarity
Epic
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A male cassowary alone cares for its chicks, from incubation to raising them!
Cassowaries can swim surprisingly well, crossing rivers and even sea channels.
Their casque might help them hear low-frequency sounds better.
They swallow large fruits whole, digesting the pulp and dispersing seeds.
Special abilities
Ability
Helmet-Head
Southern Cassowary has a bony casque on its head that helps them push through dense forest and protect their skull.
Ability
Jungle Gardener
Southern Cassowary can spread plant seeds widely by eating fruits, helping new trees grow in the rainforest.
Ability
Booming Voice
Southern Cassowary can make very low-frequency booming calls, helping them communicate over long distances in thick forest.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 127-170 cm
- Wingspan
- 20-25 cm
- Weight
- 34-76 kg
- Lifespan
- 18-40 years
- Top Speed
- 50 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-5
- Incubation
- 49-56 days
Diet & Feeding
They mostly feast on fruits that fall to the forest floor, helping many rainforest plants.
Primary Foods
- Fallen fruits
- Fungi
- Small insects
- Snails
- Small vertebrates
- Plant shoots
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Blue Quandong
Elaeocarpus grandis
Its fruits are a favorite food, spreading seeds.
eaten by
Pink Satinash
Syzygium tierneyanum
Aids in the dispersal of this rainforest tree's seeds.
eaten by
Amethystine Python
Morelia amethistina
Large pythons might target eggs or small chicks.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Rainforest
This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
Cassowary
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Southern Cassowary?
127-170 cm
What is Southern Cassowary's wingspan?
20-25 cm
How much does Southern Cassowary weigh?
34-76 kg
How long does Southern Cassowary live?
18-40 years
How fast can Southern Cassowary move?
50 km/h
What does Southern Cassowary eat?
They mostly feast on fruits that fall to the forest floor, helping many rainforest plants.
Where is Southern Cassowary usually found?
Tropical rainforests
How does Southern Cassowary hunt?
Foraging
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