Cosmos
Cosmos is a quarterly science magazine. We aim to inspire curiosity in ‘The Science of Everything’ and make the world of science accessible to everyone.
By Cosmos
British wildlife photographer Robert Fuller has been deep in a Queensland rainforest to film the Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius), capturing unique footage of this remarkable bird.
This rarely seen material gives MyCosmos members a glimpse of what few others ever see, as these creatures gently explore their home. Most humans who come across cassowaries do so when the birds come out of their natural habitat to forage in gardens and farmlands, where they are at serious risk of being killed.
In fact it’s been estimated that most cassowary deaths are from car accidents.
Cassowaries are listed as Endangered due to habitat loss.
These birds are related to the emu, but despite being smaller, they weigh more, and are the second heaviest bird in the world, after the ostrich. They are covered in feathers which look like hair. The unique feature of the bird is the dinosaur-like casque on the head, which is smaller in the male.
The female is the more colorful bird; and is dominant. Females leave off-spring duties to the male.
Fuller is a wildlife artist and videographer.
