Cassowary Location Guide: Where Do Cassowaries Live?

Cassowaries are sometimes referred to as the “most dangerous birds on Earth.” Experts recommend that people give them plenty of space, but where do these intimidating birds live? There are three different cassowary species, and each species has its own home turf. They can be found in three locations: Australia, New Guinea, and the Indonesian islands. Let’s examine the different cassowary species and the locations they inhabit.

Cassowary Habitats

The first thing to know about cassowaries is that their habitat differs from other large, flightless birds like ostriches and emus. These birds typically live in savannas, shrublands, and other desert-like conditions. However, cassowaries generally live in rainforests and wetlands.

Unlike ostriches and emus, which are omnivores, cassowaries are frugivores. This means they almost exclusively eat fruit. They can easily forage for fruit on the rainforest floor with their front claws. Occasionally, cassowaries can be found in other habitats, such as swamps, grasslands, or even beaches, but this is normally only for brief periods when they’re traveling to new forest locations.

The Southern Cassowary: Australia, Southern New Guinea, Indonesia

Southern cassowaries are the most common species. They are the only cassowaries that live in Australia. The cassowary’s Australian range is limited, consisting of only three separate populations in northeastern Queensland. Southern cassowaries also live in the lowland rainforests of western and southern New Guinea. They are rarely found above elevations of 3,600 feet. These birds can be found on the Indonesian islands of Ceram and Aru as well.

The IUCN classifies the species as Least Concern, but the last time they were assessed was in 2018. They estimated the population is between 20,000 to 50,000 birds. However, the bird is classified as Endangered in Australia, and recent estimates suggest that the number is far lower and decreasing.

Northern Cassowary: Northern New Guinea, Indonesia

Northern cassowaries have a smaller range than their southern neighbors. They can be found in swampy lowlands along the coast of western and northern New Guinea. Fortunately, the species’ ranges generally do not overlap, as cassowaries are solitary and will defend their territory against other birds. These birds are occasionally found on Yapen Island in the Papua Province in Indonesia, which is off the northwest coast of New Guinea.

The northern cassowary is thought to be the most endangered of the three species, although it, too, is listed by the IUCN as a species of Least Concern. 2017 estimates suggest there are about 10,000 to 20,000 northern cassowaries, but many experts believe that number is lower. They are also classified as Endangered by the Australian government, and their numbers are believed to be declining.

Dwarf Cassowary: The Mountains of New Guinea, Indonesia

Dwarf cassowaries only live in the mountains of New Guinea. They have been observed at elevations of nearly 12,000 feet. They avoid lowland habitats, so their paths never cross with their larger cousins. Due to this preference for New Guinea’s highlands, dwarf cassowaries mostly live across the center of the island. The highlands encompass the Central Range, also called Central Cordillera, which is a series of mountain ranges in the central part of New Guinea. Some dwarf cassowary populations also live on the island of New Britain, as well as the Indonesian island of Yapen.

The dwarf cassowary is also listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. Populations are unknown, but they are believed to be stable. Although they are rarely seen, the dwarf cassowary is said to be relatively common in New Guinea.