Australian birds

Southern Cassowary

Southern Cassowary (female) Casuarius casuarius Endangered in Australia November 16th, 2018 Etty Bay, Queensland, Australia Canon EOS 1D X Mark II Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens Canon 600EX II-RT flash The unmistakable Southern Cassowary - the giants of the Australian rainforest! If you ever doubted that birds evolved from dinosaurs, then take a good look at these prehistoric-looking beauties! Southern Cassowary are a large, flightless bird, restricted to the rainforests of tropical north Queensland. They are Australia's heaviest bird, weighing between 35-85kgs & among our tallest at an intimidating ~1.7m in height. The females of this species are larger & more colourful than the males. Their diet mainly consists of the fruits of rainforest plants, & they will swallow entire fruits & rapidly pass the seeds in large piles of multi-coloured dung. They are the only known dispersers of many large-seeded rainforest plants & play a vital role is rainforest regeneration. Since the first time I saw an image of one of these magnificent birds some 10 years ago, I have wanted to venture North to see them in the feather. So it will come as no surprise this species was my number one target for my Far North Queensland adventure. Cassowary are usually most reliably seen at the coastal town of Etty Bay, where a remnant patch of rainforest meets the ocean. This picturesque location is absolutely stunning, & these birds can often be seen wandering through the local caravan park & along the shoreline at dawn & dusk. They have become habituated to humans, & will even steal the lunch of unsuspecting visitors. However, getting a decent photograph can prove somewhat challenging as they stroll past caravans, cars & curious onlookers. I was fortunate enough early one morning to come across this large female on the other side of the hill that leads to Etty Bay, where the rainforest meets cleared pasture. The sense of irony is not lost on me that this would be the location I would produce my favourite image of the species - one of the greatest threats to their existence is the continued clearing & fragmentation of the rainforests they inhabit. Only an estimated 20-25% of their natural habitat remains today. This fragmentation leads to cassowaries having to contend with cars as they cross our roads to move from one patch of rainforest to another, which often leads to their death. With an estimated population of only ~2,000 individuals, every bird matters. Here's hoping we can get our acts together & protect the last remaining habitats of these magnificent & unique birds so we can continue to enjoy their presence for years to come.