What do cassowaries eat? – AZ Animals

Cassowaries are some of the most interesting animals on Earth. They have a coat of arms on their heads made of the same material as rhino horn legs with dagger-like claws that look like dinosaur feet and a unique bright blue head. Given their appearance, it is easy to see why cassowaries are known as “the most dangerous birds on Earth.” Are these birds really dangerous or harmless herbivores? Let’s dive into what cassowaries eat!

How do cassowaries find food?

Cassowaries are large, flightless birds, similar to ostriches, but their habitats cannot be very different. While other large birds such as ostriches and emus inhabit savannas, shrubs, and desert landscapes, cassowaries live in dense rainforests.

Since cassowaries live in rainforests, their diet is adapted to their local conditions. In abundance of fruits, cassowaries simply collect fallen fruits and nuts from the forest ground.

What do cassowaries eat?

Cassowaries eat a variety of foods, but perhaps 90% of their diet is fruit. They prefer larger fruits with a nutritious shell. This species is incredibly important to the rainforests of New Guinea and Northern Australia because they distribute the seeds of many fruits and plants. The Queensland government notes that 238 different plant species have been found in the diet of cassowaries!

The cassowary diet consists of foods that include:

• Wide selection of fruits
• when the trees
• Acorns
• Palm seeds
• Snails
• Insects
• Carrion
• Bird eggs

Cassowaries eat smaller invertebrates, and have even observed them feeding on birds and mammals killed on the road, but it is important to note that they are extremely dependent on fruits.

Research has shown that the diet of cassowaries is closer to that of fruit bats than other birds!

Beware of cassowaries!

Cassowaries are imposing birds. Females reach the height of a man, and their legs have razor-sharp claws. If you come across cassowaries, remember that they are mostly herbivores and would prefer to avoid contact with people. So while cassowaries are often referred to as “the most dangerous bird,” if you see one in real life, it’s best to just slowly retreat and never approach it.