Leading a prominently solitary existence, cassowaries are regal, flightless birds
Native to Australia and New Guinea
Cassowaries are similar to emus and stand up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and weigh up to 130 pounds (59 kilograms).
Cassowary birds are the second heaviest bird in the world to the ostrich.
It is the third tallest bird in the world to the ostrich and the emu
Once the cassowary has found a mate and laid her eggs, she leaves while the father takes over.
The father builds the nest and incubates the eggs for 50 days, rarely eating or drinking during this time.
Cassowaries are frugivores (fruit eaters).
Some of the rainforest fruits they eat have been named after them, like the Cassowary Plum and Cassowary Stain Ash.
They are strong swimmers and can move quickly on both land and water
Cassowaries are one of the closest living species to dinosaurs and one of the key visual features of this stocky bird that proves it (besides the gnarly toes), is the casque on its head.
Three cassowary species are extant : southern cassowary, northern cassowary and the dwarf cassowary
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Fourth but extinct species is represented by the pygmy cassowary.
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