Cassowary
Flightless bird with a fearsome claw and a glowing casque.
Cassowaries are flightless birds of the genus Casuarius, native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, the Moluccas, and northeastern Australia. They are classified as ratites, lacking a keel on their sternum bones, and are often called 'the world's most dangerous bird,' though the common ostrich kills more humans annually.
- field
- Ornithology
- known_for
- Being the world's most dangerous bird; producing the lowest-frequency bird call known
- species_count
- Three extant species: southern, northern, and dwarf cassowary
- height
- 1.5–2 m (4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 6+1⁄2 in)
- top_speed
- 50 km/h (30 mph)
- lifespan
- 18–20 years wild; up to 40 years in captivity
Lore & Background
Cassowaries are shy, solitary birds found in deep forests, adept at disappearing before humans notice them. They can run at 50 km/h, jump 1.5 m, and swim well. Their feathers lack tail feathers and a preen gland, and their small wings are reduced to stiff quills. They lack a tongue and have pointed, robust beaks for picking fruit.
Reader's Guide
Cassowaries are significant as the largest bird in Asia (since the Arabian ostrich's extinction) and the second largest terrestrial animal in New Guinea after introduced deer. Their evolutionary history is poorly known, but genetic evidence suggests emus are their closest living relatives. The casque, a keratinous head structure, has multiple proposed functions: amplifying deep sounds, visual display (it glows under ultraviolet light), thermal regulation, or dominance disputes. The southern cassowary is the fourth-tallest and third-heaviest living bird. The northern cassowary is the most recently discovered and most threatened species. Despite their dangerous reputation, recorded fatalities are fewer than those from ostriches in South Africa.
Did You Know?
- Cassowaries lack a tongue.
- Their casque glows under ultraviolet light, with different species showing distinct patterns.
- The dwarf cassowary is much smaller than the northern or southern cassowary.
- Cassowaries produce the lowest-frequency bird call known, at the lower limit of human hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cassowary?
Cassowaries are large, flightless ratite birds inhabiting the tropical forests of New Guinea, the Moluccas, and northeastern Australia. Standing roughly 1.5 to 2 meters tall, they lack the keeled sternum that gives flying birds their structural advantage.
Why is Cassowary called the world's most dangerous bird?
Their inner toe claw is long and dagger-shaped, capable of inflicting severe wounds in a defensive kick. That said, the common ostrich actually accounts for more human deaths per year, so the 'most dangerous' label is more cultural than statistical.
How fast can Cassowary run and how long do they live?
A cassowary can sprint through dense undergrowth at roughly 50 km/h (30 mph). In the wild they typically survive 18 to 20 years, while captive individuals have been known to reach around 40.
How many Cassowary species are there?
Three extant species make up the genus Casuarius: the southern cassowary, the northern cassowary, and the dwarf cassowary.
What is special about Cassowary's vocalization?
Cassowaries produce the lowest-frequency bird call documented to date, a deep resonant boom that can travel considerable distance through rainforest.
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