Seeing a colorful Southern Cassowary in the wild in northeastern Australia, southern New Guinea, and the Aru Islands can be a rare occurrence because like koalas, they are rather shy; live in the deep forests; and do not naturally see human beings as their friends. The best way to see one live is in captivity, which can be done rather easily.
Southern Cassowary in Australia. Sunday Morning Photograph.
The Southern Cassowary is also known as the double-wattled cassowary. Smaller only than the ostrich and emu, it is the third-tallest bird in the world. It is also the second-heaviest living bird in the world. Southern Cassowaries can be omnivores; but most of their diet comprises of fruit.
Southern Cassowaries have huge feet with three toes and sharp claws on their powerful legs. The inner toe has a claw like a dagger which may be as long as 125 millimeters or approximately five inches. This claw can be quite dangerous — and even deadly.
Comprised of keratin, the casque on its head grows as it ages.
Here is a video of a Southern Cassowary in captivity.
Final Boarding Call
The Southern Cassowary is both a beautiful yet awkward animal that can be potentially dangerous.
The purpose of the weekly series of Sunday Morning Photograph articles is to feature photographs from my travels around the world which you can view while enjoying your morning coffee.
Please click here for a complete list of the Sunday Morning Photograph series of articles at The Gate With Brian Cohen, which include photographs taken of nature and sights of interest in many countries and territories around the world — including but not limited to:
Andorra • Argentina • Australia • Austria • Bahamas • Bahrain • Belgium • Belarus • Botswana • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • China • Chile • Colombia • Côte d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast • Cyprus — including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus • Czechia or Czech Republic • Denmark • Dominican Republic • Egypt • England in Great Britain in the United Kingdom • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Kenya • Latvia • Lebanon • Lesotho • Liechtenstein • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malaysia • Morocco • Mozambique • Netherlands • New Zealand • Oman • Panama • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Singapore • Slovenia • South Africa • South Korea • Spain • Swaziland or Eswatini • Sweden • Switzerland • Thailand • United Arab Emirates • United States of America • Uruguay
All photographs ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
