4382. Cassowarries.

Ref. BBC Wildlife. discoverwildlife.com

Feb 2024.

 

An adult cassowary nearly 2m tall and weighing up to 50kg. Large flightless birds found in N E Australia and Papua New Guinea.  

Males undertake the 50-day incubation duty and rear the young.
15cm claws on their middle toes used as a defence against predators such as dingos, pythons, birds of prey which target young ones.

run at speeds of 50kph, clear 2m when jumping and deliver a mean kick.

primary distributor of seed in rainforest, cassowaries are a keystone species. 

large ornate structure on top of their heads, known as casque. Made of sponge-like material and keratin, this leathery crest is found in both sexes, suggesting it does not play a role in attracting a mate. The casque acys like a therma radiator: at high temperatures, heat is offloaded through the casque, helping the bird to stay cool. Back of the cassque heats up before the front. 

a member of ratites, known for their inability to fly.

Cassowary, Greater rhea, Emu, Ostrich and Tinamou (can fly).

The southern cassowary is the third-tallest bird in the world. Two other species are northern cassowary, dwarf ca

ssowary.

habitat destruction and urban development,