Cassowary note

[Phil Gregory <>]

Hi ausbirders,
The male Cassowary here at Cassowary House, Kuranda, far north Queensland
finally reappeared on Nov 25 with 3 tiny stripey chicks. He'd been gone
since mid-June 2002, and we feared he had met his end, but now suspect
his first breeding attempt may have failed, hence the prolonged absence.
They come most days now, except when Keith and Lindsay Fisher or Carol
and Andrew Isles come to see them ( and yes Keith, they naturally showed
up at 0600 next day!) Early morning and late afternoon are the favourite
times, and the big female sometimes arrives as well, which makes the male
very nervous, giving an odd quiet grunting call if she gets too close,
which seems to be a sort of warning.
    2000 hours tonight Jan 4, I heard the querulous
rising "peeeep" distress call of a Cassowary chick coming from the
forest. This is unusual, over the past 4 years we have just one night-time
record of the family group. I wonder if they were roosting in the thickets
quite nearby, and a chick got separated? This call is usually very effective
in bringing the male back, and it stopped after about 5 minutes, so I hope
nothing sinister has occurred. We heard no dog or pig noises, so let's
hope 3 chicks show up again tomorrow.
Any replies to us direct please, sicklebill @ austarnet.com.au
www. cassowary-house.com.au
Cheers
Phil Gregory