Alternative names: One-wattled Cassowary; Singe-wattled Cassowary
- Casuarius unappendiculatus
Identification
150cm. Flightless, black plumage, blue facial skin and casque on top of the head. Bright red or yellow neck and wattle. Very big, strong feet with long, dagger-like claw on inner toe. Both sexes are similar. The male is smaller than female.
Distribution
Northern and western New Guinea and surrounding islands including Salawati, Misol and Yapen.
Taxonomy
Nominate race is found on Salawati, Batanta and Misol, occipitalis on Yapen, rothschildi in western New Guinea, rufotinctus in the north, aurantiacus in the north-east and philipi on the Sepik River.
Habitat
Riverine and coastal swamp forest.
Behaviour
The diet consists mainly of fruits and small animals.
3-5 green eggs are laid on a well camouflaged nest prepared by male; the female leaves the nest and eggs to find another mate. The male raises the chicks alone for about nine months.
References
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Northern Cassowary. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Northern_Cassowary
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
