Threat Level
Critically Endangered

Download
Cassowary
Fact Sheet

(Casuarius casuarius)

Cassowaries stand between 1.5-2 metres in height and both sexes are simular in appearance. Adults are striking with their glossy black plumage and bright blue neck with touches of red. The female is larger than the male and is also the more aggressive of the two. Cassowaries are the heaviest bird in Australia.

Habitat

Cassowaries are distributed throughout the Western and Southern areas of New Guinea. In Australia it is restricted to tracts of rainforest in North-east Queensland, from Cape York to Townsville. Cassowary habitat has diminished as a result of agriculture and urbanisation in these areas.

Diet

Cassowaries are frugivores (fruit eaters) and are responsible for the distribution and germination of many North Queensland rainforest trees. Without Cassowaries, our rainforests may not be able to survive.

Breeding

Cassowaries do not mate for life or form permanent bonds. The female may mate with several males in a single breeding season (June to October), thus producing several nests. Once the eggs are laid, it is up to the male to incubate the eggs for 2 months and then raise the chicks at foot for a further 9 months.

Babinda

Age: 10 years (DOB 1/1/2000)

Sex: Female

You Can Adopt Babinda

Babinda was captive bred hatching on the 30th of October 2000.

Bedara

Age: 15 years (DOB 30/11/1994)

Sex: Female

You Can Adopt Bedara

Bedara was born with her sister Airlie in September 1995. Bedara arrived at Australia Zoo when she was just 45 days old and she was hand-raised by staff until they were ready to stay in the Zoo overnight and not get locked in their night quarters like babies do. From that day on Airlie and Bedara has been on display and they enjoy not having any contact with their keepers anymore!

Beepa

Age: 21 years (DOB 30/11/1988)

Sex: Male

You Can Adopt Beepa

'Beepa' was born in captivity at Fauna Sanctuary in December 1989. When he was three years old he moved to Australia Zoo and has been with us ever since. As far as a Cassowary goes, we consider 'Beepa' to be quite placid (especially compared to some of our others!!) and hopefully the new female Cassowary will appreciate his easy going nature as much as we do!

Rocky

Sex: Male

You Can Adopt Rocky

Rocky was named after the Rockhampton Zoo where he originated, and he has been at Australia Zoo since 2002 and is a very important member of our Endangered Species Breeding Program for cassowaries. 'Rocky' is 15 years old and in his prime. We have now paired him up with our largest, most impressive, some what cranky but absolutely beautiful female cassowary we call 'Stomp'. Their positive behaviour has us very excited and very hopeful this breeding season will be a successful one!

Stomp

Age: 21 years (DOB 1/1/1989)

Sex: Female

You Can Adopt Stomp

Stomp! Her name says it all! If this lady got hold of you, you'd be in big trouble. This long legged beauty has been with us since 1992 and until last year she'd never been 'kissed'! That's until she met 'Rocky' anyway! Stomp certainly seems to have a soft spot for Rocky and we hope by the end of the breeding season, we will have a story to tell!