Birds are animals with feathers, wings, and beaks. Most birds can fly, and they lay eggs. Their feathers keep them warm and help them move through the air. In the Daintree you can see many species of bird such as parrots, kingfishers, and honeyeaters.
One of the most fascinating birds found in the Daintree is the Southern Cassowary. Imagine a bird appearing from behind a bush or tree, which is taller than you, with a bright blue face, strange-shaped head and vicious looking claws! You might think you are looking at a dinosaur, but it is the Cassowary.
The Southern Cassowary is a very special bird and, in Australia, it is only found in Far North Queensland.
Southern Cassowary
Our Favourite Daintree Bird
- The Cassowary has a grey ‘helmet’ or what looks like a hat on top of its head. Its face and the top of its neck are a bright blue colour, and it has a red ‘wattle’ dangling down from its neck. The rest of its body is covered in black feathers.
- Although the Cassowary is a bird, it cannot fly as its wings are too small to lift its heavy body off the ground.
- Cassowaries are the third tallest bird in the world, after the ostrich and the emu. They are about the same height as a human.
- Cassowary eggs are bright green and are looked after by the dad, who sits on the nest to keep the eggs warm. When hatched, baby Cassowary chicks are striped yellow and dark brown.
- The Cassowary eats things that it can find on the ground including: fruit, snails, and small animals that are usually already dead.
- On its feet are very sharp claws that can easily slash and cut attacking enemies (or even humans!) easily. No wonder it is sometimes called the world’s most dangerous bird!
- The Southern Cassowary is a protected species and is listed as endangered in Australia.