Dwarf Cassowary
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[Photo] From "Gatherings of a naturalist in Australasia" by George Bennett (1860). THE MOORUK (Casuarius bennetti).

The Dwarf Cassowary, Casuarius bennetti also known as Bennett's Cassowary and the Mooruk is the smallest of the three species of cassowaries. It is a large, up to 110cm tall, flightless bird with hard and stiff black plumage, a low triangular casque, pink cheek and red patches of skin on its blue neck. The feet are large and powerful, equipped with dagger-like claws on the inner toe. Both sexes are similar. Females have longer casques, brighter bare skin color and are larger in size.

The Dwarf Cassowary is distributed throughout mountain forests of New Guinea, New Britain and Yapen Island. Its diet consists mainly of fruits and small animals. A solitary bird, it pairs only in breeding season.

The scientific name commemorates the Australian naturalist George Bennett. He was the first scientist to examine these birds after a few were brought to Australia aboard a ship. Recognising them as representing a new species of cassowary, he sent specimens back to England where this was confirmed.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, being hunted for food and often being kept in captivity, the Dwarf Cassowary is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_Cassowary

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