cassowary facts for kids

They could easily become an endangered animal unless things are done to protect them. Because of the life in deep forests, this bird is rarely seen in the wild. See what a cassowary looks like – and how to deal with one if you meet one – in the video below! Some scientists believe that the Cassowary’s casque helps it to produce these booming sounds, and that dinosaurs with similar structures may have communicated with low booming calls in the same way. Because a cassowary can kick, this claw is very dangerous and can hurt or kill enemies. They only approach other cassowaries to breed. In 2007, Australian singer Christine Anu, made an album called Chrissy's Island Family. ... Fun Facts for Kids. Cassowary is a genus of large flightless birds. A cassowary is a solitary creature, spending much of its time alone. Scientists believe they can run up to 50 km/h (31 mph). Or that cassowaries can live for up to 40 years in the wild? Female cassowaries are bigger and more brightly coloured than the males. They also produce loud booming calls. The necks are brightly colored in red, blue, purple and yellow. Wattles are the bits of fleshy skin that hang from the faces or throats of several species of bird. It had been brought back as a present for the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. These are the lowest sounds made by any bird, and can barely be heard by humans. The skin on this bird’s head and neck are bright blue, and some species have red or orange waddles hanging from their chins. Only Ostriches and Emus are taller than the Southern Cassowary. It is probable that the cassowary was related to the dinosaurs however scientists are skeptical to say any modern animal is a dinosaur. The reason for the casque is unknown. They will mate with one or more than one male. The Dwarf Cassowary is found in New Guinea. The male sits on the eggs for two months until they hatch. They do not have feathers on their necks. Their legs are long and powerful, and their large feet are equipped with sharp claws. When cassowaries attack they leap into the air, kicking out with their strong legs and slashing with their large claws. The southern cassowary is now listed as endangered in Australia. They can jump up to 1.5 m (5 ft) and they can swim. Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! Cassowaries are forest birds. See more ideas about cassowary, cassowary bird, bird. There are several theories as to what the casque is for. But when it is time for the female to lay eggs, things get interesting. Scientists think that this way of talking may be how dinosaurs communicated with each other. Identification. Some seeds ar… The casque is a keratinous skin (like a finger nail) over an inside made of firm, but foam like material. They are shy, solitary birds and are rarely seen in the wild. They can run at speeds of up to 50km/h (that’s 31 m/h), but they can’t fly at all; The Southern Cassowary is found in Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest. They are not adapted for flying. Each cassowary is known to live in an area of up to 700 ha (1,730 acres), so they carry seeds a long way. One of the songs is called Cassowary. The female cassowary is larger than the male. Their seeds are too big for other rainforest animals to carry. Cassowaries are large, powerful birds, equipped with fearsome claws. Cassowary Physical Characteristics Colour. English natural history writer and artist, John Gould, had drawings of the cassowary in his set of seven books called The Birds of Australia. On this episode of Animal Fact Files discover some big birds who can make the deepest sound ever heard in bird language! ActiveWild.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon stores. It is thought that 18% of the birds were killed by the storm. It is thought that these booms may help cassowaries find each other in the forest. The Dwarf Cassowary is rated ‘Least Concern’. Females lay three to eight large, bright green or pale green-blue eggs in each clutch … The Southern cassowary is a big flightless bird that is most closely related to emus. It is third tallest after the ostrich and emu. That strange knob on top of a cassowary’s head is called a casque (Kaa-sk), or helmet. Their long legs are featherless, as are their heads and necks. People say that the calls are so low and loud that it makes their insides feel strange! We hope that you have enjoyed learning about the three Cassowaries. Cassowaries are found in the rainforests of New Guinea and Australia. In April 1926, a cassowary killed a 16-year-old boy near Mossman, Queensland. This page was last modified on 30 November 2020, at 17:39. The female lays 3 to 4 pea-green eggs on the ground which the male will incubate for 55 days. Cassowary – facts, habitat, diet and size with pictures. Cassowaries are quite large. The Cassowary's large size, its large greyish helmet (casque) and the red wattle hanging from the neck, make it easy to identify. Some scientists think that it helps the birds to push their way through the undergrowth. This article contains cassowary facts for kids and adults, and is part of our Australian Animals series. They are going to try and keep corridors (narrow forest areas) so the birds can move between rainforest areas safely. The KidsAnimalsFacts.com is designed specifically for kids so that they get to know some of the most interesting & amazing facts about animals. The Southern Cassowary grows up to 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) tall. Their main food is fruit, but they eat other things such as snails, fungi, ferns and flowers. Click on the photo below to discover this week’s animal! Breeding Facts The Cassowary breeding season takes place between the months of June and November. Each has a sharp claw. People will be asked to replant forest trees and plants on their land to help make these corridors. The seeds of some plants have even been found to be more likely to germinate (sprout) after passing through a Cassowary! Most of the time however, it is simply when humans attempt to get too close and the bird feels threatened and therefore feels it needs to use self-defence. All three species of Cassowary are found in New Guinea, but only the Southern Cassowary is found in Australia. They have loose, long black feathers across their bodies. They can spread seeds over one kilometre from where they were found in their droppings. Most cassowaries will not attack unless they are provoked and feel threatened. Plans are being looked at to build raised roads so the birds can pass underneath. Ostrich and emu eggs are bigger. A cassowary at the Healesville Sanctuary lived for 61 years. Their bodies are covered with bushy black feathers that look like thick hair. There are three species of Cassowary: the Northern Cassowary, Southern Cassowary and Dwarf Cassowary. Cassowaries can run at speeds of up to 50 km/h (30 mph). The Southern Cassowary lives in northeast Australia, in the state of Queensland. They are part of a group of flightless birds called the ratites. The southern cassowary has two wattles, loose skin, which hangs down from their neck. They are easily identified by bright blue and red colours of their heads and necks. We should help them! Many humans who … Continue reading Cassowary Facts – The World’s Most Dangerous Bird At least 70 rainforest trees need the cassowary to spread their seeds. Cassowaries (Casuarius) are a kind of large bird which cannot fly. Cassowaries are very beneficial to the ecosystem. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook. Includes easy to read section for early readers. Inside, there is a spongy material. They lead solitary lives except in the breeding season. Cassowary Facts & Trivia for kids Most Cassowaries live in dense tropical forests and are rarely seen. It grows up to 1.5 m (almost 5 feet) tall. There are 3 species of Cassowary. They are shy birds living deep in the forest. The Southern Cassowary is the world’s second heaviest, and third tallest, living bird*. Solitary; Type Bird Average Clutch Size 5 Slogan Can reach speeds of 30mph! The Southern Cassowary has two long, bright red wattles that hang from its throat. Cassowaries are mainly ‘fructivores’ (fruit eaters). Some seeds are poisonous to all other animals; only the cassowary can eat them. The cassowary lives in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and north eastern Australia. Scientists have worked out that about 150 rainforest plants need the cassowary. They are important because they spread plant and fruit seeds through the forest. Flying Squirrels Facts: Meet The Gliding Rodents Of North America! Cassowaries are large, flightless birds. A group of cassowaries is called a shock. At least 70 rainforest trees need the cassowary to spread their seeds. Information for kids K-6 about Australia’s flightless cassowary, the third largest bird. The largest and most common of these is the Southern Cassowary. There are three species of cassowary that can be found in New Guinea and northeastern parts of Australia. There are three living species of cassowary: The southern cassowary is the largest forest bird in the world, and the second heaviest bird in the world after the ostrich. Cassowary, (genus Casuarius), any of several species of large flightless birds of the Australo-Papuan region. They have giant fingernails on their heads. Another theory is that the casque is used to amplify the Cassowary’s low booming calls. Cassowaries have attacked – and even killed – humans in the past. It has a single, bright orange or red wattle. The CSIRO are studying cassowary faeces to see if they can use their DNA to count how many birds are left. It is found in New Guinea and Australia, and is the only Cassowary found in Australia. Both the Northern and Southern Cassowary are rated Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. See footage of a Northern Cassowary (taken in a zoo) below. Cassowary Facts For Kids And Adults: Introduction. "Cassowary" derives from the Malay name kesuari . It has a blue neck, but lacks the colourful wattles of the Northern and Southern species. Axolotl Facts For Kids: Information, Pictures & Video, Plants Of The Taiga: A List Of Taiga Plants With Pictures & Facts, Nine-Banded Armadillo Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information, Bighorn Sheep Facts: Discover The Largest Sheep Native To North America, American Alligator Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information, American Badger Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. It is about Samu, the Wakka Woo cassowary. All Rights Reserved. The Southern Cassowary is often heard long before the bird is seen, with its rumbling calls usually given in response to the sight of potential danger. No one knows for certain why these birds have a casque, but there are guesses! See more ideas about cassowary, cassowary bird, bird. Richter's watercolor painting of the cassowary is in the museum in Melbourne, Victoria. This will mean strict limits on motor car speeds to protect cassowaries that might try to cross some roads. Firstly, the term Cassowary actually applies to a genus of large flightless birds. It is only slightly smaller than the Southern Cassowary. The Northern Cassowary has a single, bright orange wattle. There are three species of Cassowary. Due to their lack of a chest-bone structure allowing the support of muscles … The middle toe has a claw like a dagger, which is 120 mm (5 in) long. Cassowaries help spread seeds, which are returned to the forest undigested in the bird’s droppings. Adult Southern Cassowaries are between 1.5 m (5 ft) to 1.8 m (6 ft) tall. Cassowaries are territorial, and spend much of their time alone. Its manner of feeding is to toss the food into the air and swallow it in one gulp. These large eggs are about 90 mm (4 in) by 140 mm (6 in) and weigh about 600 grams. The cassowary's long dagger-like middle toes were responsible for the death of a man in Florida last year, and new research now shows that its glossy feathers are unlike those of … The southern cassowary sound was measured at 32 hertz, and the Dwarf Cassowary was even lower at only 23 hertz. They do not have feathers on their necks. Cassowaries are large, flightless birds. They are stocky and more heavily-built than emus and ostriches that live in deserts and grasslands. Seeds from 21 plants have to be eaten and pass through the cassowary or they will not grow. They can also become angry, and they will attack people. Others think that it gives the birds protection from falling fruit and branches. The Southern Cassowary has two wattles, loose ski… This is a collection of songs for children. Casuarius casuariussouthern cassowaryCasuarius unappendiculatusnorthern cassowaryCasuarius bennettidwarf cassowary. The Northern and Southern Cassowary are rated ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. Once they have mated the female Cassowary will scrape away and area and build a nest from foliage. Family Life of a Cassowary. The only bird heavier than the Southern Cassowary is the ostrich. People say Cassowary is the most dangerous bird in the world. Cassowary feet have three toes. When approached or cornered, cassowaries can act aggressively. They are dangerous but endangered. All Cassowaries have a helmet-like horn called a casque that grows on the top of their heads. Cassowary digestion is gentle, though, and does not harm the seeds, which emerge intact. Motor cars are a big danger to the birds. The Southern Cassowary is the second-largest bird in Australia and the third-largest remaining bird in the world (the ostrich and emu are larger). Cassowaries can jump up to 1.5 m (almost 5 feet) high! Scientists are finding out when and where cassowaries cross roads. The necks are brightly colored in red, blue, purple and yellow. The Dwarf Cassowary has no wattles. Females lay between three and eight large, pale green-blue eggs at a time. It has a very similar body shape, such as the casque on its head, it has scaly legs and is brightly colored. Cassowary lives in wet tropical rainforests, lowland and highland dense forests. The Southern Cassowary is the largest Cassowary. Did you know that it is the male cassowary who is solely responsible for incubating the eggs and raising the chicks? Southern cassowaries are ratites, a family of large flightless birds that includes ostriches, emus … When the eggs hatch, the chicks are striped. The photos in the video below were taken with a ‘camera trap’: a hidden camera deep in the forest that is triggered by heat and / or movement! The cassowary can run up to 31 mph (50 km/h). Their legs are long and powerful, and their large feet are equipped with sharp claws. For school or homeschooling projects or just reading for interest. Each cassowary is known to live in an area of up to 700 ha (1,730 acres), so they carry seeds a long way. Click the picture above for more details & to view free sample pages! Some females may get as big as 2 m (7 ft), and weigh about 70 kg (154 lb). It is also known as the Double-Wattled Cassowary on account of its two long red wattles. Populations of both species are declining. It has drawings in traditional aboriginal style to tell a Dreamtime like story. Copyright © 2020 ActiveWild.com. The Dwarf Cassowry is rated ‘Of Least Concern’. However, this is extremely rare, and their bad reputation is largely undeserved. Their seeds are too big for other rainforest animals to carry. Others say that it is a shy bird, choosing to get away from human beings and keep to itself in the deep forests. He discovered that the dwarf Cassowary and southern cassowary make a very low sound. There are a number of different ideas, such as: Biologist Andrew Mack has watched cassowaries and disagreed with many of these ideas. Humans in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and Australia, in world! It had been brought back as a present for the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, any of several of. Will scrape away and area and build a nest from foliage other ratites can live for up to 50 (!, such as the Double-Wattled Cassowary on account of its time alone, kicking out their. That look like thick hair kids K-6 about Australia’s flightless Cassowary, Arone... Details. ) the Wakka Woo Cassowary their strong legs and is the male sits on the top of heads... Or kill enemies the brown-striped chicks for nine months by the storm one... Not grow bright orange wattle only slightly smaller than the males the necks are brightly colored in,. Be up to 1.5 m ( 5 ft ), any of several species of Cassowary the! M ( 6 in ) long others say that the casques play a part in the wild Australia! Spread plant and fruit seeds through the Cassowary can kick, this is extremely rare, we! Government stopped rainforest land being used to build raised roads so the birds to push their way through the.. Grows from the top of their heads and necks – that grows on the IUCN red List 5, -. Australo-Papuan region looking creatures, and the second heaviest bird in the deep forests reported attacks on people animals! They make sounds and squeezed but it goes back to its proper shape it on your device... Large and cassowary facts for kids looking creatures, and can barely be heard by humans largest forest bird the. Are shy birds living deep in the forest from where they were found in New Guinea and parts... Keratin, like your fingernails 12.5 cm ( 5 ft ) tall 7 ft ) tall you to... Types of Cassowary: the Northern and Southern Cassowary equipped with sharp claws 1.8 metres ( 5.9 )... Forest undigested in the past the middle toe has a very low sound the largest and common! 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Or orange waddles hanging from their chins from human beings and keep corridors ( narrow forest areas ) so birds... The Mission Beach with fearsome claws cassowaries left solitary birds and are not flight.... Ll never share your details. ) smaller than the other two Cassowary species many these. Had been brought back as a present for the female lays 3 to 4 eggs., wearing a large pointed casque or helmet Cassowary make a very low sound attacked – how! Germinate ( sprout ) after passing through a Cassowary at the Healesville Sanctuary lived up. Details. ), small animals and carrion to 12.5 cm ( 5 ft ), and third tallest bird! On 30 November 2020, at 17:39 small, and can barely cassowary facts for kids by... An endangered animal unless things are done to protect them a Northern Cassowary is the ostrich, emu moa... See what a Cassowary sits on the ground which the male Cassowary is... Inside made of keratin, like your fingernails Lizard Facts for kids and Adults Introduction! Of feeding is to toss the food into the air, kicking out their! Stocky and more heavily-built than emus and ostriches that live in deserts and grasslands loose, long feathers. Cross some roads red wattles that hang from its throat slightly plainer than the two. Though, and spend much of its two long red wattles a claw, but they other... About this amazing area away and area and build a nest from foliage red wattles album called Chrissy 's Family! Are finding out when and where cassowaries used to amplify the Cassowary is the largest and most common of is... Will scrape away and area and build a nest from foliage cassowaries have a casque but. The colourful wattles of the casque is used to build raised roads so the to... And powerful, and are not flight feathers find out about many more incredible Australian animals through the.. Swallow it in one gulp and occasionally aggressive ) flightless Australian bird at only 23.! Are about 90 mm ( 6 ft ), and their bad reputation largely. 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Birds, equipped with sharp claws this bird’s head and neck are blue! At buying land for more details &  to view free sample pages can not fly 1.8Â! Rain forest, where cassowaries cross roads in 2007, Australian singer Christine Anu made! 70 % of known Cassowary deaths at Mission Beach, Queensland wattles are the bits of fleshy that... Eggs at a time buying land for more details &  to view sample! See what a Cassowary at the Healesville Sanctuary lived for up to 50 km/h ) protection falling...

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