Southern Cassowary
Casuarius casuarius johnsonii
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 3/27/2008
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Least Concern
Listed since: Fri Sep 07 2018 14:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: Australian Cassowary, Double-wattled Cassowary
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derived from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
There is only one species of cassowary found in Australia and it is the larges native vertebrate in Australian rainforests. They are a large flightless bird which can grow to 2 metres. The have shiny black feathers and a distinctive neck and head - brilliant blue and purple and a tall helmet. The are mainly found in rainforests and require a high diversity of fruiting trees. Their diets includes up to 238 plant speacies with fallen fruit being their primary food source. They are one of only a few frugivores that can disperse large rainforest fruits. They are territorial and solitary and can be extremely dangerous with their inside toe bearing a large dagger-shaped claw.
Threats
The major threat to the cassowaries survival is land clearing and fragmentation of habitat. Cyclones also deplete their food sources and many birds died from starvation after cyclones in 2006 and 2011. They are also vulnerable to vehicle strikes which are a large source of their mortality.