Southern Cassowary Bird Facts (Casuarius casuarius)

Southern Cassowary

Casuarius casuarius

Vulnerable

Distinguished by its brilliant blue and red neck, the Southern Cassowary is an imposing figure in the rainforests of Australia and New Guinea. As the world's third largest bird, this magnificent creature strides confidently through the undergrowth, its glossy black plumage and extraordinary helmet like casque making it a truly unforgettable sight amongst the lush greenery of its tropical home.

Appearance and Identification

Male Female Juvenile

Primary Color

Black

Primary Color (female)

Black

Primary Color (juvenile)

Brown

Secondary Colors

Blue, Red

Secondary Colors (female)

Blue, Red

Secondary Colors (juvenile)

Brown

Secondary Colors (seasonal)

Wing Color

Black

Wing Color (female)

Black

Wing Color (juvenile)

Brown

Beak Type

Short

Beak Color

Grey

Beak Color (female)

Grey

Beak Color (juvenile)

Grey

Leg Color

Grey

Leg Color (female)

Grey

Leg Color (juvenile)

Grey

Distinctive Markings

Bright blue and red neck and head, two red wattles

Distinctive Markings (female)

Brighter coloration than males, larger

Distinctive Markings (juvenile)

Lacks bright neck and head coloration

Tail Description

Short and black

Tail Description (female)

Short and black

Tail Description (juvenile)

Short and brown

Size Metrics

130cm to 180cm

Length

150cm to 200cm

Wingspan

29kg to 58kg

Weight

Photos

Click on an image below to see the full-size version

Female Southern Cassowary with chick

Southern Cassowary walking on beach

Southern Cassowary in natural habitat

Vocalization and Sounds

Primary Calls

Low frequency booming and hissing sounds

Call Description

Series of booms, hisses, and other sounds, often in a pattern

Alarm Calls

Sharp, short shrieks signaling distress or alert

Behavior and Social Structure

Daily Activities

Primarily active during the day, foraging for food in the morning and evening

Social Habits

Mostly solitary, occasionally forms pairs during breeding season

Territorial Behavior

Defends feeding and nesting territories, especially during mating season

Migratory Patterns

Non-migrant

Interaction with Other Species

Occasionally interacts with other bird species, particularly in feeding areas

Diet

Primary Diet

Fruit

Feeding Habits

Forages on the ground for fallen fruit

Feeding Times

Throughout the day, peaking at dawn and dusk

Prey Capture Method

Picks up fruit with beak

Diet Variations

Eats small animals when fruit is scarce

Special Dietary Needs (if any)

None known

Nesting

Nesting Location

Ground, often in dense vegetation

Nest Construction

Shallow depression in the ground, lined with leaves

Breeding Season

Mid-year, varies with location

Number of clutches (per breeding season)

One

Egg Appearance

Large, green-blue

Egg Size

Approximately 9cm x 14cm

Clutch Characteristics

3-5 eggs

Incubation Period

Around 50 days

Fledgling Period

Approximately 9 months

Parental Care

Male incubates eggs and cares for chicks

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Australia, New Guinea, Aru Islands

Habitat Description

Rainforests, swamps, and palm scrub

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,300m

Migration Patterns

Non-migrant

Biome

Rainforest

Climate zones

Tropical

Distribution Map

Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.