Casuarius unappendiculatus occipitalis

(Salvadori, 1878)

Vernacular names
English : Northern cassowary
French : Casoar unicaronculé

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Casuariiformes
Family : Casuariidae
Notes : 5 other subspecies known. Subspecies tend to be considered invalid.

Identification
The species grows to 1.50 meters high. Large helmet, single teardrop shaped wattle on neck, black plumage. This subspecies has light blue and completely yellow bare parts (including on nape) with triangular, dorsally-flattened high casque.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in most of the northern half of New Guinea and nearby islands. This subspecies is found on Yapen Island and nearby coastal northern New Guinea. It lives in rainforests and swamp forests in lowlands, up to 700 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is likely the most threatened of all three cassowaries. It suffers from habitat loss and is hunted for subsistence in most of its range.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Davao Crocodile Park and Zoo (Philippines)

 

Back to “Cassowaries and Emus” page