The cassowary is a unique-looking flightless bird native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. And there are many fascinating things about them. So here are some of the most interesting cassowary facts.
It’s The Most Dangerous Bird On The Planet
The cassowary is considered to be the most dangerous bird in the world. It has a kick that can be lethal both to animals and humans. Cassowary feet have three toes and each is equipped with sharp claws. The claw of the inner- toe is long and dagger-like, and when the species feels threatened it will kick with these fierce weapons.
They Are Athletic Birds
The cassowary is surprisingly agile for such a large bird. It can actually jump close to 7 feet (2 meters) straight up into the air and run through thick jungle terrain at speeds of 30mph (50 km/h). In addition, the cassowary is also an excellent swimmer and can even swim in the sea.
The Cassowary Has A Helmet
The cassowary has a helmet-like casque on its head. The casque is covered in keratin, the same material your fingernails are made out of. All cassowary species and both male and female birds have a casque. However, females typically have a bigger casque than males. The exact function of the casque is unknown although some believe it may show a bird’s dominance, or even help them to make certain sounds.
The Cassowary Is Highly Secretive
Cassowaries are very shy and elusive creatures. They also live deep in the forest and are typically active at dusk and dawn. These factors make the cassowary an animal that is hard to study and observe in its natural habitat.
The Cassowary Is A Frugivore
While cassowaries will sometimes feed on small animals, fungi, flowers, and carrion they are mainly frugivorous. This means that the majority of their diet is made up of various types of fruit.
One of the facts about cassowaries that many people don’t know is that their diet actually plays a vital role in the seed dispersal of many plant species. The seeds are spread throughout the forest when they are excreted in the cassowary’s waste.
The Female Birds Are Larger Than The Males
Similar to eagles and other birds of prey, the female cassowary is larger than the male. This is known as “reverse sexual dimorphism”. Female cassowaries are also more brightly colored than males and have a bigger casque on their heads.
Their Plumage Works As Camouflage
The black-colored plumage of the cassowary actually functions as camouflage. Even though this is a very large bird, with the help of its black feathers it can be incredibly hard to spot in the shadows of the deep forest.
The Cassowary Is An Excellent Dad
One of the cassowary fun facts many people are surprised to learn is that different from most other types of birds, the male takes care of the young. It is the male cassowary that actually sits on the nest and incubates the eggs. Once hatched, he aggressively protects and takes care of the chicks for up to 16 months.
There Are Three Distinct Cassowary Species
The three species of cassowary are the southern cassowary, northern cassowary, and dwarf cassowary. The southern cassowary is the most common and the largest of the three species and it’s the third tallest and second heaviest bird in the entire world.
The Cassowary Is A Flightless Bird
One of the most well-known cassowary facts is that it can’t fly. It belongs to the group of flightless birds known as ratites. This group includes other large cassowary-like birds such as the emu, ostrich, and rhea, along with the much smaller kiwi as well.
Start Shopping for Birding Supplies!
Raccoon Pictures
Raccoons are easily recognizable by their black face mask and ringed tail. And there are many fascinating things about this intelligent nocturnal species. So we’ve compiled some of the best raccoon pictures to show you just how amazing and unique they are. Raccoon...
Eagle Pictures
Eagles are large powerful raptors with sharp talons and beaks. These apex predators are typically at top of the food chain and there are many interesting things about them. So we’ve compiled some of the best eagle pictures to show you just how amazing they are. Bald...
Nutria Pictures
Nutria are large semi-aquatic rodents from South America. In the United States where they were originally imported for the fur industry, they are an invasive species. Despite their pest status, there are many interesting things about them. So here are some of the best...
Stork Pictures
Storks are tall wading birds with long legs and necks. These amazing birds have many fascinating things about them. And we’ve compiled some of the top stork pictures to help show you just how interesting and beautiful they are. White Stork The white stork has a body...
Alligator Pictures
The American alligator is a large predatory reptile that inhabits the southeastern United States. It’s a fascinating animal with many interesting things about it. And we’ve collected some of the best alligator pictures to help show you just how amazing they are....
How Long Do Great Blue Herons Live?
The life expectancy of birds is known to be closely related to their size. So as the biggest heron species in North America, how long do great blue herons live? The average life expectancy for these large birds is around fifteen years. However, surviving their first...
Where Do Great Blue Herons Live?
The great blue heron is considered to be the most widespread heron in North America. So exactly where do great blue herons live? Here’s what you’ll want to know. Great Blue Heron Range The great blue heron is found throughout most of the North American continent. In...
Where Do Great Blue Herons Nest?
While many of us have seen great blue herons their nesting habits often remain a mystery to most people. That’s because they purposely nest in hard-to-reach places. So where do great blue herons nest? Here’s the answer. A Colony Nester Typically great blue herons nest...
Do Great Blue Herons Migrate?
Do great blue herons migrate? This is something many people wonder about, especially if they’ve seen a heron during the cold winter months. And the answer is both yes and no. Here’s what you’ll want to know. Great Blue Heron Range The great blue heron has a large...
Great Blue Heron Pictures
Few species of birds are as tall, elegant, and attractive as the great blue heron. So we’ve compiled some of the best great blue heron pictures for you to admire and help you to learn more about this amazing bird! Great Blue Heron Head The head of the great blue heron...
What Do Snapping Turtles Eat?
Many people are familiar with the fact that snapping turtles have an incredibly strong bite. They use their strong jaws and sharp beak not just for defense but also for catching food. So what do snapping turtles eat? Here's what you'll want to know. Snapping turtles...
Birds That Look Like Egrets
Egrets are predatory birds that hunt and live in a range of both freshwater and saltwater habitats. These birds are usually white, and have S-shaped necks, long legs, and dagger-like beaks. However, they are often mistaken for several other types of birds that look...
Birds That Look Like Storks
Storks are large wading birds with robust bills and long legs. These tall carnivorous birds are well-known for their wide wingspans and also for building huge nests. However, they are often confused with several other bird types that have a similar appearance. So...
Birds That Look Like Herons
Herons are tall birds with long slender legs and necks. And they often wade in the water when hunting for food. Yet there are several other types of birds that may be mistaken for them. To make things more confusing many of these birds also spend time in the water and...
Great Blue Heron Facts
The great blue heron is named for its size and the grey-blue color on its wings, stomach, and back. This species has many fascinating things about it. So here are the top great blue heron facts. It's The Largest North American Heron The great blue heron is a big bird...
Are There White Herons?
Are there white herons? This is something many people wonder especially after seeing a tall all-white bird. The answer is yes! And here’s a fast introduction to them. A White Color Morph Most people are familiar with the great blue heron, a large predatory and...
Great White Heron Facts
While many people are familiar with the great blue heron, they are often surprised to find out that there’s also a great white heron. There are many things you’ll want to know about this stunning bird. So here are the top great white heron facts. The Great White Heron...
What Animals Eat Herons?
Because of their size and long sharp beaks, it can be hard to imagine that herons have any natural predators. While they do, they definitely don’t have nearly as many predators as most other types of birds. So what animals eat herons? Predators Of Adult Herons For...
What Do Herons Eat?
Great blue herons are often seen slowly wading in shallow water hunting for food. You may have even spotted one of these large birds in your own backyard pond. This leaves many people wondering: “What do great blue herons eat?” And here’s everything you’ll need to...
What Do Green Herons Eat?
The green heron is a secretive and small heron species. What it lacks in size however it makes up for in intelligence. It is particularly well-known for how it uses its smarts when hunting for food. So what do green herons eat? Read on to find out. Meet The Green...