The northern cassowary, also known as the one-wattled cassowary, single-wattled cassowary, or golden-necked cassowary, is a large, stocky flightless bird of northern New Guinea. It is one of the three living species of cassowary, alongside the dwarf cassowary and the southern cassowary. It is a member of the superorder Palaeognathae.
Region
New Guinea and adjacent islands
Typical Environment
Occurs in the lowland and foothill rainforests along the northern side of New Guinea, extending into swamp forests, riverine gallery forests, and secondary growth with dense understory. It favors areas with abundant fruiting trees and thick cover, often near watercourses. The species also persists on several nearby small islands off the north coast. Human disturbance and hunting can push it into more remote tracts of forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1100 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the one-wattled or golden-necked cassowary, this is a large, flightless ratite of northern New Guinea’s rainforests. Males incubate the eggs and raise the chicks alone. It is a vital seed disperser for many rainforest trees, swallowing large fruits whole and transporting seeds long distances. Despite its shy nature, it can defend itself powerfully with dagger-like inner toes and a heavy casque.
At Walsrode Bird Park
Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
flightless; powerful runner and strong jumper
Social Behavior
Typically solitary, coming together only for breeding. Females may mate with multiple males; males build a ground nest of leaves and incubate 3–5 eggs, then rear the chicks for months. Territories are maintained with displays, booming calls, and posturing rather than frequent direct conflict.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Produces deep, resonant booms and low-frequency drumming notes that carry far through dense forest, some near the lower limit of human hearing. Also emits hisses, grunts, and snorts when alarmed or during close encounters.
Plumage
Coarse, hair-like black plumage covering the body with bare, vividly colored skin on the head and neck.
Diet
Primarily consumes fallen and low-hanging forest fruits, swallowing them whole and later dispersing seeds intact. Also eats fungi and tender shoots, and opportunistically takes invertebrates and small vertebrates or carrion. Its robust gut allows it to process large, tough fruits that many other animals cannot handle.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the forest floor along fruiting trails, river margins, and dense understory thickets. Frequently visits areas beneath large canopy trees during fruiting peaks and uses shaded, secluded paths to move between feeding sites.
