Species Profile
Southern Cassowary
Casuarius casuarius
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Double-wattled Cassowary, Australian Cassowary
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Appearance
The Southern Cassowary is a striking, flightless bird with a tall, helmet-like casque atop its head. Its body is covered in glossy black feathers, with a vibrant blue neck, face, and two red wattles hanging from its throat. The bird stands up to 2 meters tall.
Females are typically larger than males, with a taller casque. Both sexes have powerful legs with dagger-like claws and small vestigial wings. Juveniles have brown plumage, gradually developing adult colouration as they mature.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Red
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Markings
Bright blue and red neck and head, two red wattles
Tail: Short and black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Southern Cassowaries are found in the tropical rainforests of northeastern Australia, particularly in Queensland's Wet Tropics region. They also inhabit parts of New Guinea and nearby islands. These birds prefer dense, humid forests with a diverse array of fruit-bearing trees.
While their range has contracted due to deforestation, they can occasionally be spotted in more open woodlands or even beaches adjacent to their rainforest habitats, especially when searching for food.
Distribution
Diet
Southern Cassowaries are primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of rainforest fruits. They play a crucial role in seed dispersal, swallowing fruits whole and passing the seeds intact.
Their diet is supplemented with small vertebrates, invertebrates, and fungi when fruit is scarce.
Behaviour
Southern Cassowaries are solitary and territorial, patrolling their rainforest domains with a purposeful stride. They're known for their powerful kicks, used for defense against predators or rivals.
These birds are excellent swimmers, capable of crossing rivers and even venturing into the sea for short distances.
Calls & Sounds
Southern Cassowaries are known for their deep, booming vocalisations that can be felt as much as heard. Their calls include low-frequency rumbles, grunts, and hisses.
During threat displays, they produce a series of thunderous booms that resonate through the rainforest, sounding almost prehistoric.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs during the Australian winter, typically from June to October. Males attract females with elaborate displays, including puffing up their feathers and producing low-frequency booming calls.
Females lay 3-5 large, pale green eggs in a simple nest on the forest floor, usually concealed by vegetation. The nest is a shallow depression lined with leaves and plant material.
Uniquely among large birds, male cassowaries perform all incubation and chick-rearing duties. They incubate the eggs for about 50 days and care for the chicks for up to 9 months, fiercely protecting them from predators.
Conservation
Although the Southern Cassowary is listed as Least Concern, it faces threats due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Road accidents and attacks by domestic dogs also pose significant threats.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and connecting rainforest habitats, as well as educating local communities about coexistence with these important seed dispersers.
Population
Estimated: 20,000 - 50,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Decreasing[2]
Population decreasing due to habitat loss and other threats
Elevation
Sea level to 1,400 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 9cm x 14cm
- Predators:
- Adult cassowaries have few natural predators due to their size and defensive capabilities. However, eggs and chicks may fall prey to large pythons, dingoes, and feral pigs.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, short shrieks signaling distress or alert
- Breeding age:
- 3-4
- Maturity age:
- 3-4
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day, peaking at dawn and dusk
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, vehicle strikes, dog attacks
- Parental care:
- Male incubates eggs and cares for chicks
- Primary calls:
- Low frequency booming and hissing sounds
- Social habits:
- Mostly solitary, occasionally forms pairs during breeding season
- Egg appearance:
- Large, green-blue
- Feeding habits:
- Forages on the ground for fallen fruit
- Breeding season:
- Mid-year, varies with location
- Diet variations:
- Eats small animals when fruit is scarce
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 9 months
- Average lifespan:
- In the wild, 22
- Call description:
- Series of booms, hisses, and other sounds, often in a pattern
- Daily activities:
- Primarily active during the day, foraging for food in the morning and evening
- Nesting location:
- Ground, often in dense vegetation
- Number of broods:
- One
- Incubation period:
- Around 50 days
- Nest construction:
- Shallow depression in the ground, lined with leaves
- Migration patterns:
- Non-migrant
- Migratory patterns:
- Non-migrant, remains in home territory
- Prey capture method:
- Picks up fruit with beak
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected in Australia, conservation programs in place
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends feeding and nesting territories, especially during mating season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Polygynous, males mate with multiple females
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 3-5 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Occasionally interacts with other bird species, particularly in feeding areas
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for cassowaries in dense rainforest undergrowth, especially near fruit-bearing trees
- Listen for their low-frequency booming calls, which can travel long distances
- Be cautious and maintain a safe distance, as cassowaries can be aggressive if threatened
- In Australia, visit the Daintree Rainforest or Mission Beach area for the best chances of spotting one
Did You Know?
- The Southern Cassowary is considered the most dangerous bird in the world due to its powerful legs and sharp claws.
- Their casque is made of keratin and may help amplify their low-frequency calls.
- Cassowaries can run up to 50 km/h (31 mph) through dense forest and jump up to 1.5 meters high.
- There are reports of Southern Cassowaries living for over 50 years in captivity.
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