Cassowary | Facts & Information
# Cassowary | Facts & Information
Cassowary | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Cassowary
Cassowary (Casuarius) belongs to the group of large running birds, which cannot fly, of the order Struthioniformes (ostrich), family Casuariidae. Their range is mainly the island of New Guinea, but some cassowary species also live on the KAP-York peninsula in Australia.
The three extant subspecies of casuari are:
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Cassowary
890
Animals
36
Species
8
Languages
32
Facts
Origin
The bird's name comes from the Malay "kesuari". The birds most related to them are emu birds. Prefers open areas, avoiding thickets and swampy portions.
The name of the bird comes from the Indonesian language – kasu weri, which means "horned head". The cassowary is one of the most remarkable large, strong, non-flying birds.
Casuarius bennetti
Casuarius casuarius
Casuarius unappendiculatus.
Many times the casuar has shown an out of the ordinary aggression, gaining the fame of the most dangerous attack in the world. Its long and sharp claws produced numerous victims.
Casuar Food
It generally feeds on ripe fruit, fallen from trees, but does not refuse insects, snails or snakes. Once it finds a tree from which fruit falls it will remain for a few days to guard it from other individuals.
Fruits are swallowed whole regardless of their size. Due to its food, the cassowary is a key species in maintaining the development of tropical forests.
Through its excrement, the seeds of the consumed fruits are scattered throughout the jungle, the role of the bird in the ecosystem being very important.
Casuar Characteristics
Casuarii have on their heads a horn-like crest like a helmet, by which they are easily distinguished from other running birds.
The function of this Ridge has not been elucidated so far, it is assumed that it would play a protective role of the skull when the bird runs through the forest or serves to remove the surface layer of land in search of food, and the size of the ridge would indicate the rank occupied in the hierarchy of the Bird Group.
The head of the cassowary is devoid of feathers, in two species and the neck is devoid of feathers, in these two species the skin of the head and neck are pleated and bluish-reddish color. The color of the skin can change after the nervous state of the bird.
The plumage color is all black, lacking the bushy tail as in other ostriches, the wings are atrophied. The bird's feet are particularly punternic, having three fingers (Tridactylie), which allows them to reach a speed of 50 km/h.
Fingers are provided with powerful claws reaching a length of 10 cm, they can become dangerous weapons. An adult cassowary can reach a height of 1.7-2m and a weight of over 60 kg. There is no sexual dimorphism, females being slightly larger and have a crest of a more vivid color than males.
Although they are recognized as shy animals, cazuars will not hesitate to attack when they feel threatened. They can jump 1.5 meters in height and are very good swimmers. These birds are hiding in the depths of the forest and it is very difficult to see or catch them.
Usually an observer can see the traces left or can hear the noise they make when they take refuge or hide in the bushes. It is one of the most dangerous birds in the world and only a few zoos in the world have obtained the right to keep it and show it to visitors.
Breeding Casuar
Mating takes place between May and November, the female lays between 3 and 6 eggs.
The male incubates the eggs for 2 months. She will also take care of the puppies until they are 9 months old, when they become independent.
The Cassowary cub shows a plumage a totally different plumage than the adults, the predominant color being brown to yellow with longitudinal stripes, black. The head is brownish and has no crest. Characteristics change with the growth of older chicks.
During mating, males make low and loud sounds to attract females. During the rest of the Year, adults live alone. They make their nests in bushes, near trees, from grasses and leaves.
The female lays 3-5 large, jade-green eggs, then leaves the nest. The male case remains to incubate the eggs for a period of 49-56 days, then the growth and feeding of the chicks takes care of it. Chickens have beige-tan plumage with brown stripes. They reach maturity only after three and a half years.
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Cassowary | Facts & InformationCassowary | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Cassowary