The Cassowary bird has got to be the most interesting bird I have ever seen! Unfortunately this curious bird, which is the second largest bird on the planet, is on the endangered species list due to destruction of their habitat for development.
I have been fortunate to see this species at both the David Fleay National Park and at Currumbin Wildlife Sancuary, on the Gold Coast of Australia.
In captivity they can be known to live up to 40 years.
The mother abandons the large green eggs when they are laid and the father incubates them for approximately 40 days, never leaving the nest even to eat or drink, and then raises them for the next nine months until they can fend for themselves.
The Cassowaries eat fallen fruit and berries as well as small rodents, snails and lizards. They have long razor sharp claws on the inner toe of each foot, which can inflict serious injury to a human belly or throat.
The Cassowary’s most notable characteristic is the hard, bony protrusion on top of their head called a casque, which they use to head-but when they feel cornered or threatened.
Photos by: Marie Erasmus
http://mentalfloss.com/article/80394/10-facts-about-cassowaries
