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Here we are at another Tuesday and another creature this week we have the Cassowary.
A Cassowary stands as tall as some people and are considered by some to be Australia's most dangerous bird although many of us have never seen one except in a zoo.
They have a stretched neck, a scaly blue head with red flaps of skin that hang from its throat referred to as “wattles”. On top of its head is a most eye catching “helmet” made of toughened skin hard on the outside but spongy inside.
Males raise the young and will protect them at any cost, it has a 12cm long middle claw which can be used like a dagger to disembowel predators. Cassowary kicks are powerful enough to break bones and kill.
They are flightless birds without a keel on their sternum bones. Cassowaries are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, and northeastern Australia. Three cassowary species are extant.
The southern cassowary is listed as endangered in the Wet Tropics region and with only an estimated 4400 cassowaries left in the wild, every cassowary is precious.
What a strange bird, Jo-Anne, but I never realized their population is endangered. Somehow, I remember a song about the Cassowary birds in grade school, but I couldn't sing it now - lol!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Strange and somewhat dangerous but still beautiful
DeleteThis is one I haven't seen or heard of. Quite an interesting character! And the dads protect the young. Cool! :)
ReplyDeleteThey are interesting
DeleteThat bird is giving me the stink eye!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I am sure it give the stink eye to many
DeleteThey are an amazing creature, saw a few up north but we stood well back and just watched them.
ReplyDeleteBest way to watch them is from a distance
DeleteWow, that is some extremely interesting information. I have never heard of one. The face looks a little like a turkey.
ReplyDeleteYeah I thought it looked like a turkey
DeleteNever heard of it, but when I fist opened your page, I thought it was a peacock. He sure does have a glaring look.
ReplyDeleteThere are Australians who have never heard of them
DeleteYep, saw him in our zoo. Staying out of foot-reach.
ReplyDeleteHe looks a bit prehistoric in the face. His coloring is pretty though! Hope you're doing well!
ReplyDelete