It's been a long time between drinks! This blog has been inactive due to trips to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula, 3 weeks in China and trips to Canberra. But we are back to "normal" if that is the word.
Mr Cassowary passed by a couple of weeks ago and left this calling card in the driveway. What's neat about this one is that it looks pretty much the same now as when he dropped it. Usually the turkeys go through the seeds during the day and the nocturnal mammals do it over after dark. But nothing has gone near it even though there is precious little on the ground and the turkeys are very hungry. Perhaps, the cassowaries have been feeding on some toxic fruits that the other animals avoid. Who knows.
Subsequently we heard that his clutch of eggs had been destroyed, probably by pigs. Then recently we heard that a tremendous fight had broken out between Mrs Cassowary and a rival, named Harriet, and Harriet had won. Mr Cassowary has been observed mating with the new lady. If this leads to another nest, it will mean that he will be brining out the chicks much later than normal. We will keep you posted.
Showing posts with label Cassowary Poo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cassowary Poo. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Tuesday, 24 July 2007



Cassowary Poo
It is said that Cassowaries are crucial to the survival of the rainforest since many seeds are too big to be distributed far from the source tree. Cassowaries swallow seeds whole and the action of their gut rasps off the softer parts which are digested. This leaves the majority of seeds entire in their droppings. This is a ready-made source of food for forest rats, birds and Musky Rat-Kangaroos. Many seeds survive and germinate thereby distributing the trees through the habitat. Research has shown that most seeds are processed within about a kilometer from their source.
In addition to plant material, Cassowaries eat a considerable amount of animal material when available. They readily eat beetles, moths and grasshoppers and other insects. They have been observed feeding on road kills and there are reliable reports of the birds eating Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) without any ill effects.
The photos show the fresh poo and its contents and then a few days later after the forest fauna has had a go at picking over the seeds.
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