Great activity here at Cassowary House, Kuranda, Far North Queensland
this morning at 0800, with the two adult Cassowaries mating in the
forest below our deck. The female sat down on the leafy floor, and the
male came in close several times before also sitting down behind her
and then rhythmically raking her flanks and rear with his feet,
swaying from side to side. This went on for several minutes before he
mounted her, perched somewhat precariously on her sloping rump.
The mating lasted about a minute and there were no calls involved,
but suddenly the female leapt up and gave a roaring coughing bark I'd
never heard before, aggressively chasing the male away, crashing off
through the forest at high speed and making me very glad we were high
above it all. The male gave a low grunting alarm series as he dashed
away.
About ten minute later we heard the very deep low frequency pulsing
contact call given twice, so low it's like a vibration, and presumably
very effective at carrying a long way through the dense forest here.
We await further developments, the chicks are still about with two of
them associating with the female all day yesterday, but with no sign
of them so far this morning.
Phil Gregory
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