DOUBLE WATTLED CASSOWARY

 

 

Description

 

  • There are three species of cassowaries double wattled, dwarf and northern cassowary.

  • The Southern Cassowary which is also known as double wattled Cassowary is the largest of the species.

  •  They are the largest Asian bird.

  • The cassowary is the second heaviest on earth.

  • Their bodies are covered with dark brown or black feathers which look more like thick, coarse hair.

  • The neck and head have no feathers and are boldly colored blue and red.

  • On their heads there is a large bony helmet which is made of trabecular bone and cartilage.

  • The wings are extremely small and there are vestiges of primary feathers in the form of five or six long white spines.

 

Head to body :  127 – 170 cm ( 50-67 in )

 

 Height length : 1.5 – 1.8 m ( 4.9 – 5.9 ft )

 

Claw length : 12 cm long

 

Weight : 29 – 59kg ( 63.88 – 129.96 lbs )

 

 

Range :   Australia, Queensland,  Southern , eastern,and northwestern New Guinea

     

Habitat:  Rainforest

 

Diet.  : Fungi , fruits, insects, and small vertebrates                    

 

 

Status:  They are endangered. The population has been limited. There are used to be 10,000 – 20,000 of this species . Now only 1,500- 2,500 in the wild.

 

Reason for status: habitat loss and overhunting            

 

Incubation period  : 50 days

 

Longevity: 20-40 years in captivity / 12-19 years in the wild

 

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