Cassowary

Meet the Cassowary!

The cassowary’s peculiar horny cap helps it to break through obstacles. The cassowary is a bird that, when cornered, can be dangerous: it attacks by leaping, using its legs and hard, sharp claws. Native to Oceania, it lives in the heart of tropical rainforests and has hard feathers that protect it from branches and humidity.

What are its habits?

The cassowary is a solitary bird, although it forms a pair during the breeding season. In this species, it is the male that incubates the large, green eggs, and cares for the chicks. Their lack of dimorphism makes it difficult to distinguish between the sexes. Being flightless, it feeds on fallen fruit from trees, as well as small insects and fungi.

Conservation

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated