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Cassowary

Casuarius

Last updated: February 1, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
  1. Animals Home
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  4. Cassowary

Can reach speeds of 30mph!

Continue Reading after the facts...


Cassowary Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Casuariiformes
Family
Casuariidae
Genus
Casuarius
Scientific Name
Casuarius

Cassowary Conservation Status

  • Vulnerable

Cassowary Locations

  • Oceania
Cassowary Locations

Cassowary Facts

Main Prey
Insects, Grass, Fungi
Distinctive Feature
Sharp claws and horn-like crest
Wingspan
1.5m - 2m (59in - 79in)
Habitat
Wet tropical forests
Predators
Dingo, Crocodile, Humans
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Type
Bird
Average Clutch Size
5
Slogan
Can reach speeds of 30mph!

Cassowary Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Tan
Skin Type
Feathers
Top Speed
31 mph
Lifespan
40 - 60 years
Weight
25kg - 58.5kg (55lbs - 129lbs)
Height
1.5m - 2m (59in - 79in)

Cassowary Images

Click through all of our Cassowary images in the gallery.

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The cassowary is a large species of flightless bird, that is natively found in the forests of Papua New Guinea and on it’s surrounding islands. The cassowary is closely related to other large flightless birds including emus and ostriches and is the third tallest and second heaviest bird in the world behind these two.

The cassowary inhabits dense tropical forest on New Guinea and it’s surrounding islands and parts of north-eastern Australia. There are three species of cassowary which are the Southern Cassowary or Double-wattled Cassowary, found in southern New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and the Aru Islands, the Dwarf Cassowary or Bennett’s Cassowary, found in New Guinea, New Britain, and on Yapen, and the Northern Cassowary or Single-wattled Cassowary, found in northern and western New Guinea, and Yapen.

The cassowary has adapted well to a peaceful life in the depths of the forest and as a result, are rarely seen by humans who are trying to spot them. The cassowary cannot fly and so has developed the need to run incredibly fast, as these large birds are able to sprint through the jungle at speeds of more than 30mph. The cassowary also has large, sharp claws which aid the cassowary in defending itself from danger.

The most distinctive features of the cassowary are it’s large body size and brightly coloured feathers (females are both larger and more colourful than their male counterparts), and the large, spongy crest that protrudes from the top of the cassowary’s head, which can grow to 18 cm in height. Although not much is really known about the purpose of these crests, it’s thought that the crest of cassowary is used to assert sexual dominance, to settle disputes and also helps this bird when it is running through the thick undergrowth.

The cassowary is an omnivorous bird and therefore eats a wide variety of both plants and animals in order to gain all the nutrients that it needs to survive. Cassowaries mainly feed on fruits that have fallen to the ground from the trees, along with leaves, grasses, seeds, insects, spiders and other invertebrates.

The cassowary has adapted to a life without the need to fly due to the fact that, historically, the cassowary had no predators within its natural environment and therefore had no need to flee. However, with human settles can mammalian predators including dogs, foxes and cats that mainly destroy the vulnerable nests of the cassowary, eating their eggs.

The cassowary breeding season is thought to be from May to June when the female cassowary lays up to 8 large, dark eggs into a nest on the ground made from leaf litter. However, the female cassowary then leaves her eggs to be incubated by the male who fiercely guards his future brood against predators for up to 50 days when the cassowary chicks hatch out of their shells.

Today, mainly due to deforestation and therefore habitat loss and the introduction of predators to the cassowary’s native islands, all three cassowary species are at risk in the wild and are classified as vulnerable animals.

View all 65 animals that start with C


Cassowary FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Cassowaries herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Cassowaries are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Cassowaries belong to?

Cassowaries belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum to Cassowaries belong to?

Cassowaries belong to the phylum Chordata.

What phylum to Cassowaries belong to?

Cassowaries belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Cassowaries belong to?

Cassowaries belong to the family Casuariidae.

What order do Cassowaries belong to?

Cassowaries belong to the order Casuariiformes.

What genus do Cassowaries belong to?

Cassowaries belong to the genus Casuarius.

What type of covering do Cassowaries have?

Cassowaries are covered in Feathers.

In what type of habitat do Cassowaries live?

Cassowaries live in wet tropical forests.

What is the main prey for Cassowaries?

Cassowaries eat insects, grass, and fungi.

What are some predators of Cassowaries?

Predators of Cassowaries include dingos, crocodiles, and humans.

What are some distinguishing features of Cassowaries?

Cassowaries have sharp claws and horn-like crests.

How many eggs do Cassowaries lay?

Cassowaries typically lay 5 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Cassowaries?

Cassowaries can reach speeds of 30mph!

What is the scientific name for the Cassowary?

The scientific name for the Cassowary is Casuarius.

What is the lifespan of a Cassowary?

Cassowaries can live for 40 to 60 years.

What is the lifespan of a Cassowary?

Cassowaries can live for 40 to 60 years.

What is the Cassowary's wingspan?

The Cassowary has a wingspan of 1.5m to 2m (59in to 79in).

How fast is a Cassowary?

A Cassowary can travel at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.

How to say Cassowary in ...
Czech
Kasuár přilbový
German
Helmkasuar
English
Southern Cassowary
Spanish
Casuarius casuarius
Finnish
Kypäräkasuaari
French
Casoar à casque
Hungarian
Sisakos kazuár
Indonesian
Kasuari Gelambir-ganda
Italian
Casuarius casuarius
Japanese
ヒクイドリ
Latin
Casuarius casuarius
Dutch
Helmkasuaris
Polish
Kazuar hełmiasty
Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
  7. Christopher Perrins, Oxford University Press (2009) The Encyclopedia Of Birds

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