What is a Cassowary?
The brightly colored Cassowary or Cassowaries, is a large rainforest bird of Australia, and Papua New Guinea, belonging to the "Ratite" family. Ratites include the Ostrich, Emu, Rhea, and Kiwi. Of this family of birds, Cassowaries are by far the most beautiful, and unique. They are very different from the other Ratites due to their habits, and physical features. Also, they are very rare in captivity, and very little information is available on the captive breeding of these birds. There are 3 species in this Genus of birds The most common of these are the Double Wattled Cassowaries (casuarius casuarius), also known as the southern Cassowary, which is the most prominent in captivity, and the second in line among size. The largest, and most colorful of the 3, are the Single Wattled Cassowaries (casuarius unappendiculatus), also known as the northern Cassowary. Finally, the last and also the least sized, as its name implies, is the Dwarf Cassowary (casuarius bennetti), also known as the Bennett's Cassowary. Even less is known of the Single Wattles, and Dwarfs than there is of the Double Wattles. There are hardly any of these two species in captivity due to strict export laws of their native country, Papua New Guinea. In regards to their names, the single or double wattles are referring to the number of wattles the species has on the front base of its neck. Wattles are fleshly flaps of skin that hang on a bird's neck or face. Varying between species, Cassowaries can get up to 6 ft tall, and 200 pounds making them the second largest bird. They are very prehistoric looking, and skeletons date back 17 million years ago. They are possibly the closest thing alive to a true Dinosaur today, and are even described often as a modern day Velociraptor...though they are "Frugivores", meaning their main diet in the wild is fruit. Unlike the other ratites (except the Kiwi), Cassowaries are solitary birds, and do not live in groups or flocks. Cassowaries breeding season is the only time they come together in the wild. Given this, they are highly territorial by nature. Once they have established their territory, either in the wild, or in their captive enclosures, they will defend it against other Cassowaries, people, or animals. The inner toe of each foot wields a straight spike for a toe nail, which can grow up to 7-8 inches in length with age. Using this claw or spike, they can kick with overwhelming force, and at lighting fast speeds. They attack in the same manner as a fighting game chicken, jumping and slashing or jabbing with both feet. Along with this weapon, they can run up to 40 mph through the forest, and jump 6 ft high with ease. This has earned them the title of the worlds deadliest bird. However, Cassowaries are usually not aggressive, and have to be provoked to attack. Their potential should never be underestimated. When guarding eggs, or chicks, they must be avoided at all costs. Cassowaries are particularly intelligent in comparison to other ratites, and remember well. They also hold grudges. Teasing them is a very bad move, they will turn against you from then on. Besides this one downside to these beautiful birds, they are one of the most breath taking and stunning of all birds, and are a pleasure to keep. I have not had any other species of mammal, reptile, or bird that receives more attention and fascination from people than Cassowaries. Hopefully the interests from Aviculturist will grow, and more will be bred in captivity ensuring its survival, and conservation, as it is rapidly disappearing from the wild, as well as captivity.
Breeding Cassowaries
There isn't much information on the captive breeding of Cassowaries. I have been keeping Cassowaries for around 20 years now, and have a good deal of experience and knowledge with them. Cassowaries are for experienced breeders only, and those whom like a good challenge with raising birds. They are easily one of the most difficult species to breed and raise in captivity for a few reasons. Being a territorial, and solitary animal, Cassowaries are aggressive towards one another, and would rather fight than mate. If you have a compatible pair, then they are priceless. Raising a pair up together from chicks is the best way to ensure compatibility. The eggs are very difficult to hatch in a artificial incubator. Humidity and heat conditions must be perfect. After hatching, you have the task of starting the chicks, which is not easy. They are a very difficult species to get started eating and drinking, and it usually takes a day or two before they begin eating well, and the yolk in their stomach is fully absorbed. If you hatch only one, it is a good idea to put a baby chicken or some other bird with it for company, and to help teach it to eat and drink. If more than one hatches at a time, it makes it much easier to get them started. I feed the adults 30% protein Catfish chow, blended with laying pellets. Cassowaries need more calcium and protein than the other Ratites, and this is a good source. I also give them chopped fruit on the side. Most produce stores will just give this to you as they throw it out for going out of date. My enclosures are 50 ft x 200ft runs for each bird, running side by side. Fencing should be 6 ft high to prevent risks of them ever getting out. Though the only reason they would ever try to jump out is by either fighting, or being cornered. Fences should be heavy gauge wire, woven horse fencing or chain link works best. Metal posts are preferred, because they can break wooden posts with their feet. The larger the enclosure, the better your birds will do as far as temperament, and breeding. Cassowaries like lots of room, and trees or shrubs. They absolutely do not like confinement. They need plenty of shade and water because they live in rainforests. They thrive in wet humid regions. They should not be in a open sunny enclosure, or in very hot and dry climates such as Arizona, etc. Being black, the sun will heat them up quickly, so shade is a must. Also, being tropical birds, they need shelter from winter snow, rain, and ice. They handle the cold fairly well, but still should be provided with adequate shelter from bad weather, especially snow and ice. Their feet are prone to frost bite, and if that happens, they will lose their toes. There is no need to worry about that as long as they aren't walking on snow and ice. A simple 8x8 shelter is what I use, with 4 sides and a door to close them up if needed. The temperature here rarely gets below 30 at night, but in extreme cold climates, they will need to be put inside for winter, or provided heat. They will freely go into their shelters once they have grown accustomed to them. The best pair of Cassowaries is a pair that has been raised together from chicks. This usually ensures that the pair will be bonded, or favorable among one another. If an older pair is bought, and have never been together, then they must be placed in separate enclosures adjacent to one another, and given plenty of time, however long it takes, to become friendly to one another. Taking two strange birds and putting them in the same enclosure is a death sentence. Even a bonded pair, should be kept separated year round to avoid any risk of injury or possible fighting. Cassowaries are solitary by nature, meaning they aren't meant to live together. Therefore, they are unpredictable towards other Cassowaries, and humans. I have known many individuals that learned this the hard way, and ended up with a dead bird. Once mating season sets in, around April in North America, the pair will usually stay close to one another, and even sleep side by side. You may also catch them doing a mating display. Now is the time to open the dividing gate and let them together. If they have been raised up together, then not much supervision is necessary. Cassowaries are known for producing infertile eggs. The first few eggs needs to be removed and put in a incubator to determine fertility. Once fertility starts showing up, then you can allow the male to incubate the rest of the eggs she lays if you want him to do so. If you do not pull the eggs this way, he may sit on infertile eggs for 54 days. If the male is allowed to incubate the eggs, then as soon as he begins the process the female must be locked in the opposite pen away from him. Though they can incubate and raise the chicks on their own...artificial incubation is recommended due to the aggressive nature of the male protecting the eggs or young. Also, you will produce more chicks by pulling the eggs and incubating them yourself. They may lay 10 eggs or more by taking the eggs from them. The eggs should be incubated at around 97 degrees Fahrenheit, with 45-50% humidity. Incubation period lasts 54 days. Chicks should be fed plenty of chopped fruit, along with the blend of feed I mentioned earlier. Chicks become very tame, and will follow their keepers everywhere. Allowing them out to run and exercise everyday is a must for healthy growth and strong legs. Keeping them in a good sized run is best. They need adequate sunlight to metabolize vitamin D in order not to develop leg problems. Cassowaries are slow to mature, and it takes 3-5 yrs to reach adulthood. It may take even longer for them to become a successful breeder, but usually they have no trouble if they are paired with a good compatible mate. Once you buy Cassowaries, then you have bought a pet for life, they live 60 + years easily. The temperament depends on the bird. Each bird has a total different personality. I keep my enclosures setup to where I can feed and water from the outside, this minimizes having to go in with them, and risk the possibility of injury. Holding a good sturdy stick over their head or a rake will usually keep them away from you. They don't seem to like anything bigger and taller than they are. This is excluded in breeding season however. This pretty much sums the breeding and care part up, I would be happy to answer any questions by email.
Single Wattled and Dwarfs
The species most referred to on this page, are the Double Wattled Cassowaries. Being that these are the prominent species in captivity, and the only ones that any type of breeding or experience have come from. However, the breeding requirements should be the same for the other two species as well. Single Wattled & Dwarf Cassowaries are the rarest species in captivity. To date, most of the Single Wattled and Dwarf Cassowaries in captivity are held in zoos of the Asian and Indonesian regions. There are only 3 known Single Wattled Cassowaries in the United States, and the last dwarf died in 2008. So far we have not been able to find anymore of this species, and have been trying to find a source to import them. These Species all come from Papua New Guinea, which have very strict laws on taking the birds out of their country. We are continuing to investigate ways to get them legally, and trying to find information regarding New Guinea's laws. There are a few known subspecies of Single Wattled Cassowaries, and they are a bit larger than the Double Wattles, making them the largest of the 3 species. Besides the physical differences, they also are very different vocally. They make a long drawn out rhythmic bellow, alot like a Donkey. This is the only species that makes this sound. Double Wattles and Single Wattles can cross breed, resulting in a hybrid. This is often done in the wild, and pictures have been taken of birds that are clearly a hybrid. Dwarf Cassowaries also know as Bennett's Cassowaries are mountain birds, and live in the high regions of Papua New Guinea. They usually only get around 3-4 ft tall, and not over 100-130 lbs. There are at least 2 recognized subspecies of Dwarfs. Dwarfs have no wattles on the base of their neck, but "Bennetti hecki" has a red or purple spot on the neck where the wattles should be. There are no known cross breeding between these and the other species. Hopefully in the near future these species can be obtained, and a good breeding program started with them. Otherwise, these species may be doomed to extinction in the coming years unless strict control is put on the hunting of them, and deforestation in their native country. The natives there are allowed to kill, and eat them, and trade them free of will. To be such an amazing beautiful animal to us, they are nothing more than chickens to them.