Dwarf Cassowary

## Background Information

### Alternate Name(s)

Bennet's cassowary, Upland cassowary, Mooruk, Little cassowary, Mountain cassowary, No-wattled cassowary

## Classification

### Species

C. bennetti

The dwarf cassowary ***(Casuarius bennetti)*** or the Bennett's cassowary, is the smallest species of cassowary and also the smallest bird in the family Casuariidae. Unlike other cassowary species, the dwarf cassowary is considerably smaller, measuring to around 99-135cm (39-53in) tall and weighing a maximum of 18kg (39lbs). The wrinkled bare skin located on the neck and head of the dwarf cassowary is also purplish-blue as opposed to the lighter hue of the other cassowary species, with pinkish-red patches of skin nearing their plumage. Interestingly the dwarf cassowary also lacks any wattles, a characteristic trait that is identified in both other cassowary species. Juvenile dwarf cassowaries appear drastically different from mature individuals, being covered in light brown or orange plumage, with no bare skin on their head and neck. Despite their obvious differences, all cassowary species share their conical head casque and their long defense claw which can grow to be around 10cm (4in) long on a dwarf cassowary, according to ADW. Another common characteristic of cassowaries, is their rough, wiry black plumage and wing quills, which are both constants of all cassowary species including the dwarf cassowary.

## Diet

Cassowaries are primarily frugivorous, eating a variety of fruits and berries. In particular cassowaries including the dwarf cassowary, enjoy eating the cassowary berry which is a large dark blue berry shaped like an oval. By eating these berries, all cassowary species contribute greatly to the spread of the cassowary berry by releasing its seeds through their excretions. Other than fruit, dwarf cassowaries will commonly supplement their largely frugivorous diet with meat, such as lizards, small mammals, invertebrates and even carrion. Dwarf cassowaries in particular have also been known to be fond of fungi. Unfortunately, in a cassowary's pursuit for carrion, they will often run onto roads in search of roadkill, which can lead to them being struck and killed by oncoming vehicles, such as logging trucks.

## Conservation Status

Though the dwarf cassowary is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN, this could quickly change due to the deforestation of New Guinea. As dwarf cassowaries live exclusively in forested area, the growing deforestation in New Guinea is leading to a general decline in population for the birds and the further degradation of forested environments in New Guinea has lead to dwarf cassowaries being forced further and further from their homes. Despite the severity of deforestation for rainforest species, the dwarf cassowary seems more resilient to the destruction when compared to other animals, and are instead more threatened by habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation is a serious issue that greatly threatens the survivability of the dwarf cassowary. Roads and airstrips are often built in the dwarf cassowary's range, leading to human-wildlife conflict, and typically resulting in vehicular cassowary casualties.

## Range and Population

Dwarf cassowaries live exclusively on the island of New Guinea, in dense rainforests. Dwarf cassowaries can be found more prolifically in forested mountainous regions, and are generally not encountered by humans often. Due to a high specialisation to these forested areas, dwarf cassowaries, are extremely dependent on these habitats, and the continued logging in their range, has lead to the dwarf cassowary population declining majorly as of recent. The population of the dwarf cassowary is not known, due to the species being elusive and difficult to study. The population is likely at a state justifiable for the status of least concern, but as deforestation continues, the cassowaries are becoming harder to encounter, and more reliant on human conservation intervention. Though extremely scarce in numbers the bird has been described as 'locally common' by Birdlife International in regions of Northeastern New Guinea. Unlike the other two species of cassowary, dwarf cassowaries can also be found native to the nearby island of New Britain and Yapen island, where they inhabit the same environments however, the number of cassowaries on the islands are unknown.

## Behaviour

Dwarf cassowaries are a particularly shy bird species, active mainly at daylight hours. Like the other cassowary species dwarf cassowaries are mainly solitary typically being seen alone however, rarer documentations of dwarf cassowary pairs, and even flocks have been reported. Despite the dwarf cassowary's general docile behavioural characteristics, they have been known to become extremely aggressive when threatened or cornered. Typically in these situations, dwarf cassowaries will perform a kicking move with their powerful legs, and injuring or even killing those who come in contact with their sharpest talon, reaching 10m (4in) in length. Due to the species' elusive nature a very limited amount of information is known about the bird's breeding and courtship. It is believed that the male will initiate the mating dance, by first raising his back feathers and puffing out his throat before circling the female. If the female accepts this display, she will present herself by crouching. After this submission, the male will caress the female with his foot. After the courtship and mating, the male cassowary will incubate the eggs, a characteristic sexual role that is consistent among Ratities.

### Relationship with Humans

Though the dwarf cassowary appears to be a docile bird, it can be extremely dangerous when provoked. Dwarf cassowaries, much like other cassowaries will rear up and puff their chests in order to appear larger when threatened by humans. If this display is not adhered to, the dwarf cassowary will attack, kicking out its 10cm (4in) inner toe talon at its victim. This talon is often the cassowary's main form of defense, and can lead to severe injuries or even death. Though extremely uncommon, deaths caused by dwarf cassowaries have been documented on both humans and pets, and because of this reason it is highly advised that the provocation of dwarf cassowaries is not attempted. Human activity has destroyed much of the dwarf cassowary's habitat leading the birds to become closer in proximity to human settlements, this is both dangerous to humans and the dwarf cassowaries alike, as both greatly impact each other's lifestyle. In many regions in New Guinea, dwarf cassowary meat is considered a delicacy, and the habitat fragmentation could lead to overhunting of the species due to human proximity.

## In Captivity

Currently only one zoo is known to exhibit the dwarf cassowary, being Zoo Veldhoven, Netherlands. Dwarf cassowaries are becoming not only increasingly rare in the wild, but also in zoos due to their elusive nature. Due to these reasons, captive breeding efforts may -at one point- be necessary for the species' survival and though Zoo Veldhoven is not currently a part of a dwarf cassowary breeding program, it is still unique among zoos for housing the species at all.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22678111/92755192
* Dwarf Cassowary | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Casuarius\_bennetti/
* Living With Cassowaries | Queensland Government - https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/animals/living-with/cassowaries
* Dwarf Cassowary | Birdlife International Datazone - http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/dwarf-cassowary-casuarius-bennetti
* Dwarf Cassowary | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf\_cassowary
* Dwarf Cassowary | What When How.com - http://what-when-how.com/birds/dwarf-cassowary-birds/
* Bennett's Cassowary | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/bennetts-cassowary-2224/