World Cassowary Day

Cassowaries are rainforest gardeners, dispersing and sometimes even germinating the seeds of rainforest trees.

Want to go beyond the scare stories to discover the real cassowary? World Cassowary Day is the perfect opportunity.

What is World Cassowary Day? 

World Cassowary Day is a celebration of cassowaries. It’s a chance to learn more about these distinctive birds, their characteristics, and behaviours.

It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of the threats cassowaries face, including habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and dog attacks.  

By coming together on this date, we can support cassowary conservation and habitat protection.

When is World Cassowary Day 2026?

World Cassowary Day is celebrated annually on the 26th of September. In 2026, this date falls on a Saturday.

When is World Cassowary Day 2026?

World Cassowary Day is celebrated annually on the 26th of September. In 2026, this date falls on a Saturday.

3 facts about cassowaries  

Cassowaries are large, flightless birds. And they’re closely related to emus. They have bright blue necks, a red wattle, and a horn-like helmet on their heads.

Cassowaries live in tropical rainforests in northern Australia (in Queensland) and on the island of New Guinea.  

The cassowary has been unfairly branded as dangerous. Its kick can break bones. But these birds aren’t naturally aggressive. Attacks are rare and only occur when cassowaries are provoked or cornered.

How to protect cassowaries  

Cassowaries are not globally endangered but populations are decreasing. In Australia, the southern cassowary is listed as endangered under national environment law. 

These animals are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, vehicle collisions, and dog attacks.

Human interactions also pose a threat. When people feed cassowaries, the birds become used to being around humans. This makes them more vulnerable to vehicle strikes and dog attacks.

These birds need our help. Here’s what you can do to protect cassowaries.

• Protect rainforest habitats. To protect the cassowary’s forest home, eat less meat and buy sustainable products. You can also lobby governments and organisations to combat deforestation and climate change.
• Avoid feeding wildlife. When you come across wild animals, including cassowaries, keep your distance and never offer food. This helps reduce unnatural behaviours and helps keep you and the wildlife safe.
• Drive carefully in cassowary crossing areas. Drive slowly and keep an eye out for young cassowaries crossing the road behind an adult. Also, watch out for road signs that indicate cassowaries have recently been spotted in the area.
• Support conservation organisations. You can contribute to cassowary conservation by donating, volunteering, or sharing the information shared by conservation organisations. 

Cassowary Day FAQs

What do cassowaries eat?

Cassowaries primarily eat fruit that has fallen from trees. But they also eat insects, fungi, snails, small dead mammals, and over 238 species of plants.

Can a cassowary fly?

No, cassowaries can’t fly. They are flightless birds, like penguins, emus, ostriches, and kiwis.

Are cassowaries dinosaurs?

All birds are descended from dinosaurs. Cassowaries retain certain “prehistoric” traits, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “living dinosaurs”.

They have a horn-like helmet on their heads, called a casque, and three-toed feet with a central, dagger-like nail that can measure up to 5 inches long.

How big is a cassowary?

Cassowaries are the third largest birds in the world. They can measure up to 2 metres tall. Females weigh up to 76 kilograms and males weigh up to 55 kilograms.