Cassowaries

The cassowary's biome is rainforest and other dense bushland where they can easily hide, from low-lying swampland forests to high, mountainous forests.

fruit, flowers, grass seeds, and small vertebrates

The three species of cassowary are:

Southern cassowary, or double-wattled cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)

Northern cassowary, or single-wattled cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)

Bennett's cassowary, or dwarf cassowary (Casuarius bennetti)

All species of cassowaries are warm blooded; the cassowary is a bird and all birds are warm-blooded.

Cassowaries play an important role in the ecology of both the rainforest and bushland areas where they live, as they are vital in dispersing seeds in their native forests. They are frugivores which feed on the fruit of up to 238 different species of plants. Because they are able to eat larger fruits, they can therefore can disperse large rainforest fruits after the seeds have passed through their digestive system, which is gentle enough to allow the seeds to remain viable.

The cassowary has a wide range, so is also the only long distance means for dispersing large seeded fruits. The seeds are excreted into a pile of the cassowary's own dung, meaning the seeds have their own ready-made pile of fertiliser. The smell of the dung even helps to deter seed-eating predators such as the white-tailed rat. Of the hundreds of fruit-bearing species on which the cassowary feeds, between 70 and 100 of them appear to rely completely on the cassowary for dispersal.

There is no Australian or New Guinean bird that hibernates.

The cassowary does not migrate regularly, but it is believed that populations of some species of cassowaries may migrate to different altitudes depending on the season. The dwarh cassowary, for example, is believed to migrate.

Scientists have not determined what the cassowary's helmet is used for, but there are several theories. It has long been thought that the helmet is used to protect the bird's head as it moves through the thick undergrowth of the rainforest and bushland in which it lives. However, the most likely theory is that, because the helmet continues to grow throughout the cassowary's life, it could be a sign of dominance. Recent scientific research has suggested the helmet may even assist cassowaries in detecting the low vibrating sound made by other cassowaries.

The female Cassowary lays 3 to 6 large (5 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in) pale green Eggs on forest litter and may be served by a number of Males during the breeding season

from May until November deserting each in turn after the eggs are laid.

The cassowary is usually classified as a frugivore, as its primary food source is fallen fruits. The cassowary feeds on the fruits of over 230 different plant species. However, it may be regarded as an omnivore, as it also eats fungi, shoots, seeds, invertebrates and even small vertebrates.

• Cassowaries are large, flightless birds (ratites) of far north Australia and New Guinea.
• The cassowary's most definable feature is probably its helmet. Properly called a casque, the helmet is a bony plate which sits vertically on the bird's head.
• Like the emu of Australia, it is the male bird that incubates the eggs after the female lays them.
• Its feathers are hairy rather than stiff like the feathers of other birds.
• The chicks are striped yellowish brown and black when young, and only begin to develop their colours from about three months old.
• Adult cassowaries have a dangerous spike averaging 10-12cm long on the inside toe of each foot.

when they are fearful of their chicks safety the male cassowary jump and kick out with his feet. the middle toe of each foot has a 6 inch or 15cm long razor sharp toenail which can cut through human tissue quite easily. they have been six recorded deaths due to injuries inflicted by cassowaries since white settlement of Australia

It is an ostrich like animal that lives in the forests of australia. It is unique with its horn on top of its head, three-toed sharp claws, and its ability to swim well.

On average, an emu is taller.

The emu is Australia's tallest bird, averaging 1.6 to 2 metres in height. Its nearest rival is the Southern Cassowary which averages 1.5 to 2 metres. Next to the emu, it looks distinctly shorter and stockier.

The Southern Cassowary, however, tends to be heavier. Emus range between 30 and 45kg in weight, whilst the Southern Cassowary averages 38 - 48kg.

Approximately 40-50 years. Some have been know to live longer in captivity

The male cassowary incubates the eggs for 50-60 days. He also cares for the chicks once they have hatched, up until they are around nine months old.

The wattle on the cassowary are two pieces of skin which hang from their necks

The population of the Southern cassowary - the species found in Australia - is estimated to be around 1000.

Figures for the Northern cassowary are more difficult to determine, but estimates vary from 2,500-9,999 adult birds.

Southern Cassowaries are endangered for several reasons.

Habitat loss is a major factor. As the cassowaries leave their territory in search of food (due to habitat loss) they are more prone to being hit by cars.

Expanding urban development has meant the introduction of dogs and cats which are a major threat to young cassowaries. The introduction of feral pugs has also meant greater competition for food, as well as the fact that the pigs trample the birds' nests, crushing eggs and young birds.

Northern cassowaries are not endangered, but they are listed as 'vulnerable'. The main threats to Northern cassowaries are heavily hunted by the native people on the island of New Guinea, where they are found. The feathers and bones are highly valued for decoration and as gifts in pay-back ceremonies, while the bones are also used as tools. The chicks are also often captured and reared in the villages for food.

The Southern cassowary lives in the rainforests of coastal northern Queensland, Australia, as well as in tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the Aru and Seram Islands. It is found in Cape York, in the vine forests of Lockerbie and McHenry Uplands, the vine forests of the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges, and in the Wet Tropics, from Big Tableland, south of Cooktown to Paluma, north of Townsville.

One ostrich can incubate up to 25 eggs, but most nests have even more because of the extra ones laid by "minor hens.

It depends on what is meant by "second largest", and whether this refers to height or weight.

The emu is the second-tallest bird, averaging 1.6 to 2 metres in height. Its nearest rival is the Southern Cassowary which averages 1.5 to 2 metres. Next to the emu, it looks distinctly shorter and stockier. The Southern Cassowary, however, tends to be heavier. Emus range between 30 and 45kg in weight, whilst the Southern Cassowary averages 50-60 kg.

Cassowaries vary in height (length from head to toe) from 1.2 to 1.8 m.

No. Lyrebirds are not nocturnal, but diurnal.

cassowaries are 2,491 ft. tall

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