Northern Cassowary
Casuarius unappendiculatus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="casuarius-unappendiculatus"></birdfyi-bird>The Northern Cassowary (Casuarius unappendiculatus) is a bird species in the family Casuariidae (cassowaries), within the order Casuariiformes (cassowaries & emus). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 52.9 cm and a weight of 47 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
A large flightless bird of lowland New Guinea with a tall orange-yellow casque, bare blue-and-red neck skin, and one long pendant wattle. Solitary and aggressive when threatened. Feeds mainly on fallen fruit, dispersing large seeds across the forest. One of the world's most powerful kickers.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 52.9 cm | 20.8 in |
| Weight | 46993.25 g | 1657.64 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Body covered in coarse, glossy black feathers. Bare neck and head skin vivid blue and red. Single-wattled with a prominent yellow-orange casque. Bare red skin on nape. Sexes similar in plumage.
Habitat & Range
Lowland and foothill rainforest, swamp forest edges, and secondary growth up to 600 m in northern and western New Guinea. Forages along forest streams and near fruiting trees. Avoids heavily disturbed areas.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 50 days.
Clutch Size
3-5
Sound
Song
Deep, resonant booming calls and guttural rumbles from males during breeding season. Hissing threat displays when approached. Less studied than Southern Cassowary but similar pattern.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Casuariiformes (Cassowaries & Emus) |
| Family | Casuariidae (Cassowaries) |
| Genus | Casuarius |
| Species | Casuarius unappendiculatus |
Distribution
Northern Cassowary has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Northern Cassowary live?
Is the Northern Cassowary endangered?
How does the Northern Cassowary nest?
What does the Northern Cassowary sound like?
How big is the Northern Cassowary?
What order and family does the Northern Cassowary belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Casuariidae family