About the Northern Cassowary
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.
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The northern cassowary has a hard and stiff black plumage, blue facial skin and a casque on top of the head. In 2026, scientists discovered that northern cassowary casques glow under UV light, and in different pattterns than southern cassowary casques. It has a bright red or yellow coloured neck and wattle. The feet are huge and strong with a long, dagger-like claw on its inner toe. The sexes are similar in appearance.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Northern Cassowary lives
When to see the Northern Cassowary
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Dwarf CassowaryCasuarius bennettiThe dwarf cassowary is a large bird but is smaller than other living cassowaries (the southern cassowary and northern cassowary).
Southern CassowaryCasuarius casuariusThe adult southern cassowary has stiff, bristly black plumage, a blue face and a long neck, red on the cape and two red wattles measuring up to 18 cm (7.1 in) in length hanging down around its throat.
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