Dwarf Cassowary

     The Dwarf Cassowary, also known as the Bennett’s cassowary, the Little Cassowary, the Mountain Cassowary, or Mooruk, is the smallest of the three extant species of Cassowaries. It is distributed throughout mountain forests of New Guinea, New Britain, and Yapen Island, at elevations up to 3,300 m.  In areas without other species of cassowaries, The Dwarf cassowary will also live in the lowlands.

     The Dwarf Cassowary is of a height between 99 and 150 cm long and weighs between 17.6 and 26 kg. It has hard and stiff black plumage, a low triangular casque, pink cheek, and red patches of skin on its blue neck.

     The Dwarf cassowary is a solitary bird that feeds mainly on fallen fruits, small animals and insects. In the breeding season, the female which is larger than the female, lays 3 – 6 green eggs per clutch, then she leaves the nest to find another mate. The male Dwarf cassowary does the incubation and takes responsibility for caring for the young chicks, in which the female plays no part.

     Dwarf cassowaries are shy birds that possibly undertake seasonal migrations in part of its habitat ranges. Also, these birds are considered the most colorful of all cassowary species, as they boost multiple colors in their bodies and skin.