Cassowary

The cassowary is a large, flightless bird in the genus Casuarius, native to New Guinea and the northeastern tip of Australia. There are three extant species: the dwarf cassowary (Casuarius bennetti), the northern cassowary (Casuarius unappendiculatus), and the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius).

Cassowaries belong to the family Casuariidae and are among the best-known rainforest birds. They are tall and heavy, with a rigid casque on the head, dark plumage, and a bright, bare neck in some individuals. They have a sharp inner toe claw up to several centimeters used for defense. They can reach about 1.5–1.8 meters in height and weigh 20–50 kilograms depending on species and sex. The casque's exact function is uncertain.

Habitat and range: They inhabit tropical forests and rainforests, with some preferences for dense undergrowth and fruiting trees. They distribute across New Guinea and northeastern Australia, including Cape York.

Diet and ecology: They are mainly frugivores, consuming large amounts of fruit to disperse seeds, but will also eat fungi, flowers, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. They are important seed dispersers for many rainforest plants.

Reproduction: Mating involves females laying a clutch of eggs, after which the male incubates the eggs for about 50 days and raises the chicks. Females are typically larger than males, and the species exhibits a marked division of parental roles, with the male caring for the young.

Conservation: All three species face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as vehicle strikes and predation by dogs and other introduced predators. They occur in protected areas, but conservation relies on habitat protection, road safety, and public awareness.