The cassowary: Interesting facts about Australia’s endangered bird

The cassowary is a large, flightless bird endemic to the dense tropical rainforests of northeastern Australia and New Guinea. They’re a rare and often shy species that are among the vulnerable birds in the world, which means they are close to being included on the endangered list. Here are some trivia about this beautiful and elusive creature.

Image source: animals.sandiegozoo.org

Cassowaries can reach up to 79 inches in height and 129 pounds in weight, making it one of the largest birds in existence. Female cassowaries are larger than males, but both looks like a mix between a turkey and an ostrich. Its large body is covered in black feathers with a bluish head and red-tinted neck area. Its head is covered in a casque or helmet-like crest that can reach nearly 7 inches in height. They use this casque to fend off other animals and to move through the undergrowth.

Cassowaries are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals, and insects. Its excellent eyesight helps it navigate in the dense rainforest vegetation. It also produces a piercing sound that can be heard up to three miles away.

These majestic birds live up to 19 years in the wild, but can survive up to 50 in wildlife reserves. The mother cassowary lays between three and eight greenish-blue eggs, but it’s the male that’s in charge of both building the nest and incubating the eggs (which could take up to 50 days). When the chicks are born, the male takes care of them until they are a year old.

Image source: youtube.com

Gregory Lindae has more than 20 years in the investment industry. He is an expert in venture capital and private equity markets. To promote and support eco-tourism efforts, he co-owns Bunda Bunderra Wildlife Nature Reserve in Queensland, Australia, which advocates the conservation of cassowaries. Visit this website for more on his work and environmental advocacies.

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