Cassowary with helmet
Casuarius casuarius
Distribution
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (New Guinea Island), Northeast Australia
Habitat
Rainforest
Incubation
50 days approx.
Number of eggs
3 - 6
Longevity
20 to 40 years (in captivity)
Weight
29-60 kg
Size
1.3-1.7m high
Diet
frugivore
Conservation status
:
Not Threatened
A surprising bird
The cassowary owes its name to its curious helmet made of keratin. Its head and neck are plucked, with surprising blue skin and two red wattles. Like all ratites (the ostrich family), it does not fly but can run at 50 km/h! To defend himself, he uses his long claw, jumping on his opponent, injuring him, even killing him!
Solitary, cassowaries only form pairs during the breeding season. Once the eggs are laid, the female leaves the area; It is the male who is in charge of incubating the eggs and then raising the young!
It is a couple of cassowaries that you can observe in La Barben.
