Page 91 - Port Douglas Magazine 32

THE CURIOUS BIRD

WORDS by Jeremy LeBeuf
idden in the shadows of the ancient forest the have a notorious reputation for being the most dangerous
elusive Cassowary struts around her domain. bird in the world and that comes from ghastly claw that
HWhile it is particularly difficult to spot the rather provokes their fearsome side. The Cassowary can slice
large flightless bird romping about, she is curious to a open any predator or potential threat with a single swift
fault and chances are will be watching you. kick. Best to admire from afar.
Impeccably charismatic and strikingly vogue, the A helmet full of fingernails The crazy headgear sported
cassowary isn’t your ordinary chook – she’s rainforest by the Cassowary is called a casque. Although it looks
royalty. Outrageously introverted, there is still a lot to be menacing, the casque is made of a sponge-like material
revealed about the flagship species of the Daintree, so and covered with a thick layer of keratin, the same thing
here are a few things we do know: our fingernails are made of. It is still a bit of a puzzle as to
what purpose the casque serves. Some say it’s for heat
Living large They are big birds; the southern cassowary regulation, it could be a show of dominance, or used for
is the largest forest bird in the world. And also the second communication, no one but the Cassowary really knows.
heaviest bird weighing in at 70 kg. Third tallest after the
ostrich and emu at around 1.8 m – that’s a lot of bird! Fruit cocktails Cassowaries are frugivores which means
they dine mainly on fruits and berries that fall to the ground.
Prehistoric turkeys Some may say, others may suggest A typical southern Cassowary can eat up to 11 pounds of
they look terrifyingly similar to the velociraptors in the fruit a day, that’s enough to keep anyone regular. Their
Jurassic Park movies – both views are kind of correct. droppings usually contain half-digested fruit with plenty
The Cassowary is one of the closest living species to of nutritional value so the bird will eat each other’s, well
dinosaurs, and they definitely do look the part. you can use your imagination – fruit smoothie anyone?
Who runs the world? Girls! Queen C or the female A sign of the times On the drive up to Cape Tribulation
Cassowary leaves the child rearing to the men - she’ll there are many Cassowary warning signs usually
lay the eggs then she’s done. The male sits on the nest accompanied by one that warns of speed bumps. A prank
to incubate the eggs for up to 60 days. For the next 16 monkey decided to add the words ‘before’ and ‘after’ and
months he feeds, protects, and teaches them the ways of turned the bottom one into a Cassowary lying flat on its
the world until they can take care of themselves! Daddy back. A timely reminder and wonderful for awareness
day care. because we need to …
Gardening Australia Costa’s beard does somewhat Be Cass–o–wary: Sadly, these stunningly odd yet
resemble that of a Cassowary. Like Costa, Cassowaries are beautiful Cassowaries are in decline in Australia and this
great gardeners, so much so that the Daintree Rainforest is mainly due to human activities. So let’s help prevent
would look dramatically different without them. They this and keep their numbers up, by driving slowly when in
are considered a key stone species performing a very Cassowary territory and by never feeding or approaching
important duty. After eating fruit whole like the Cassowary a Cassowary.
plum, their digestive system keeps the seeds intact, they
then disperse their seed filled “fertilizer” into new areas of
the rainforest.
If you see a Cassowary in trouble, (injured, distressed
Fight or flight Considering they are a flightless bird, or an orphaned chick), and you need assistance call
Cassowaries will fight when push comes to shove. They the 24-hour hotline 1300 130 372