Cassowaries

pea green when laid, later they become less bright in colour

The cassowary's blue neck is primarily due to the presence of specialized skin cells called chromatophores, which contain pigments that reflect light in a way that produces vibrant colors. This striking coloration is thought to play a role in communication and mating displays, signaling health and vitality to potential mates. Additionally, the blue hue can help the bird regulate its body temperature in its tropical habitat.

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.

It is pronounced cas-uh-wear-ee

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.

Cassowaries have three toes on each foot, and the central toe is long and sharp, like a dagger. Up to 12 cm long, this claw is said to be capable of disembowelling a person. Certainly, people have died as a result of being attacked by a cassowary and slashed with this claw.

The cassowary has adapted to its environment because it has a sharp beak and sharp claws so it can dig in the ground to find the berries it feeds on. And because its large, it therefore doesn't need to be camouflaged against predators, it can also defend itself with its sharp beak, claws and helmet.

Yes, but this is not common. The only recorded story of someone being killed by a cassowary occurred back in 1926, when a teenage boy attempted to attack a cassowary with a club, but was kicked to the ground then slashed in the neck by the bird. He died shortly afterwards from a haemorrhaging vein. However, every year in the Australian state of Queensland, there are incidents of injury to people (and also dogs) as a result of encounters with cassowaries.

By staying in the sun because the are cold blooded.

Emus, ostriches and cassowaries are all flightless birds belonging to a group of birds called "ratites". Ratites are found almost exclusively within the Southern Hemisphere. Ratites have wings but the bones in their chests do not have the capacity for flight muscles, which is what a bird needs to fly. Other ratites include the rhea of South America and the kiwi of New Zealand.

Yes. All birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs and are considered by many to be dinosaurs.

Yes. Cassowaries are omnivores, and while their preferred food is fallen fruit, they have also been known to eat fungi, as well as seeds, berries, snails, insects, small reptiles, dead mammals and even birds.

No. Cassowaries do not have teeth. Birds do not have teeth, although some species of geese have tooth-like serrations called 'tomia' which run along the outside of the top and bottom of their bills, and look very much like teeth.

Baby Cassowaries Are Called Chicks.

no cassowary does not eat idiot fruit

Cassowaries are birds so, like all birds, they have feathers. Only mammals have fur.

Cassowaries are considered a keystone species. They play an important role in the ecology of 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.

A cassowarys hard head helps it clear through a forest,and then its easier for other animals to get through the forest.

no it is an omnivore