Dwarf Cassowary
Casuarius bennetti
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Dwarf Cassowary is the smallest of the three cassowary species, yet it is still an imposing bird. It stands about 1-1.5 meters tall, with a predominantly black plumage and a distinctive blue neck and face. The head features a prominent casque (horn-like structure) and vibrant wattles.
Both sexes look similar, with females slightly larger. Juveniles have brown plumage, lacking the bright colours and developed casque of adults. The bird's powerful legs and dagger-like claws are notable features.
Size
Length
99cm to 150cm
Weight
17.5kg to 26kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black Blue
Secondary Colour
Red
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
The Dwarf Cassowary is endemic to the island of New Guinea. It inhabits montane and hill forests and is found in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. It prefers elevations between 1,000 and 3,600 meters.
These birds are non-migratory and maintain year-round territories within their forest habitats. They are most commonly found in areas with dense understory vegetation and abundant fruit-bearing trees.
Elevation Range
Up to 3,600 meters
Climate zones
Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Dwarf Cassowary. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons