Northern Cassowary Bird Facts (Casuarius unappendiculatus)

The Northern Cassowary is a striking, flightless bird with glossy black plumage and a vibrant blue head and neck. Its most distinctive feature is a large, horn-like casque atop its head, alongside a single red wattle hanging from its throat.

Both sexes look similar, with females slightly larger. Juveniles have brown plumage, lacking the bright colours and developed casque of adults.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Northern Cassowary can be found in Rainforest habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Northern Cassowary is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Northern Cassowaries inhabit the lowland rainforests of New Guinea, primarily in the northern and western regions of the island. They're also found on the nearby islands of Yapen and Salawati.

These birds prefer dense, humid forests but may venture into swamp forests and occasionally mangrove areas. They're non-migratory, maintaining year-round territories within their range.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern 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

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Indonesia Papua New Guinea

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Northern Cassowary demonstrates remarkable agility, capable of running up to 50 km/h through dense forest. Its ability to navigate complex rainforest environments and swim across rivers showcases its impressive manoeuvrability.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

With powerful legs capable of delivering potentially lethal kicks and a robust build weighing up to 58 kg, the Northern Cassowary possesses formidable strength. Its ability to defend against most predators and move through dense vegetation underscores its physical prowess.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

While primarily adapted to lowland rainforests, the Northern Cassowary shows some adaptability by venturing into swamp forests, mangrove areas, and even coastal waters. However, its specific habitat requirements and vulnerability to deforestation suggest limitations in adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Known as one of the most dangerous birds, the Northern Cassowary exhibits high aggression when threatened. Its territorial nature, powerful defensive kicks, and the need to observe from a safe distance all indicate a notably aggressive disposition.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Northern Cassowary's ability to patrol large territories daily, swim across rivers, and maintain year-round activity in tropical climates suggests considerable endurance. Its size and flightless nature, however, may impose some limitations on long-term stamina compared to migratory birds.

Northern Cassowaries are primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fallen fruits. They play a crucial role in seed dispersal for many rainforest plants. Their diet is supplemented with small vertebrates, invertebrates, and fungi when available.

Northern Cassowaries are solitary and territorial, patrolling their home ranges daily. They're known for their powerful kicks, capable of seriously injuring potential threats. These birds are excellent swimmers, often crossing rivers and venturing into coastal waters.

Northern Cassowaries are known for their deep, booming calls, which can be heard up to a kilometre away. These low-frequency vocalisations, often described as a rumbling 'boom-boom-boom,' are used for communication and territorial displays. They also produce hisses and grunts when alarmed.

Breeding occurs year-round, with peak activity during the dry season. Males attract females with low-frequency booming calls and vibrant displays of their wattles and neck colours.

Females lay 3-5 large, pale green eggs in a simple ground nest of leaves and plant material. The male is solely responsible for incubation, which lasts about 50 days.

After hatching, the male cares for the chicks for up to 9 months, protecting them and teaching foraging skills. Young cassowaries reach sexual maturity at about three years of age.

The Northern Cassowary typically lives for 18 to 20 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 61 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Although the Northern Cassowary is classified as Least Concern, they face threats from habitat loss from deforestation and hunting. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining rainforest habitats and implementing stricter hunting regulations in their range.

Look for them in dense, lowland rainforests
Listen for their low-frequency booming calls
Observe from a safe distance, as they can be aggressive when threatened
Search for their large, three-toed footprints in muddy areas

Adult Northern Cassowaries have few natural predators due to their size and defensive capabilities. However, eggs and chicks may fall prey to large pythons, monitor lizards, and feral pigs.

Northern Cassowaries can run up to 50 km/h (31 mph) through dense forest.
Their casque may act as a resonating chamber for their low-frequency calls.
They're considered one of the most dangerous birds on the planet due to their powerful kicks.
Captive Northern Cassowaries have been reported to live for at least 61 years, with another at least 48 years old.

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Similar Birds

Southern Cassowary

Dwarf Cassowary

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