The Cassowary
The cassowary is no ordinary bird. These impressive creatures have deadly features, disgusting dietary habits, and dedicated dads. Use our free resources below to find out where cassowaries live, what they eat and their crucial role in the rainforest ecosystem.
Southern cassowary
Educational Children’s Song
This song by Caper Kids Music delicately balances the beauty of this ancient Australasian bird with its more dangerous qualities. With its catchy chorus featuring hand-claps and ukulele, you’ll be singing along in no time, and maybe feeling a little uncertain too.
Listen to the educational song Hey Cassowary by Caper Kids Music on YouTube
Hey Cassowary Song Lyrics
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
Out in the rainforest somewhere near a beach is a bird, scratching round with dinosaur like feet
In Australia’s wet tropics, or Papua New Guinea, there’s a strong and fearsome bird called a cassowary
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
Standing tall on two long legs, the cassowary’s stronger than its emu friends
But it is slightly shorter than its emu mates, it’s 1.8 metres tall taking second place
Don’t be mistaken, bout this ancient bird, their legs are strong, claws are sharp and kicks can really hurt
With one big kick, this animal can kill, crush your bones, cut you up, or peck you like a drill
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
For many many years this bird has been alive, eating fruits, eating plants and insects that it finds
And sometimes when it’s hungry and there’s nothing else to eat, it eats its own fruity poo as a little treat
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
Hey Cassowary O Cassowary you so look nice but you are kind of scary
Look so nice but you are kind of scary
Look so nice but you are kind of scary
Look so nice but you are kind of scary
Interesting Facts About the Cassowary
Interesting facts about the cassowary from Curiosity Capers
10 Facts About Cassowaries
Rainforest Heavyweight: The cassowary is the largest native vertebrate in the Australian rainforest.
Second- Heaviest Bird: Ostriches take the crown, but cassowaries are the second-heaviest birds on Earth, with females reaching up to 167 pounds (76kg).
Tall But Not the Tallest: Cassowaries are the third-tallest birds in the world, following ostriches and emus, reaching heights of up to 6 feet.
Dino Feet: The song isn't wrong! Cassowaries have large feet with sharp claws, reminiscent of dinosaurs
Fruity Diet: These birds are primarily frugivores, meaning they feast on fruits and berries.
High Jumpers: Don't underestimate their height! Cassowaries can jump up to 7 feet (2.1m), allowing them to reach fruits on higher branches.
Surprisingly Omnivorous: While fruits are their favorite, cassowaries will also eat fungi, insects, and even small animals.
Recycling Champions: The lyrics in the song hit the nail on the head! Cassowaries sometimes consume their own droppings to extract additional nutrients.
Surprising swimmers: Cassowaries are excellent swimmers. They can swim across rivers or even go for a paddle in the ocean.
Feisty Feathers: Despite their beauty, cassowaries can be dangerous. Their powerful legs and sharp claws can inflict serious injuries.
Southern cassowary
Lesson Plan: The Curious Cassowary - Rainforest Heavyweight
Target Age Group: Primary School Children (Adjust difficulty based on specific age)
Subjects: Science, Art, Music
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn about the cassowary, a flightless bird and the largest native animal in the Australian rainforest.
Students will be able to identify key physical characteristics of the cassowary (size, feet, claws).
Students will understand the cassowary's diet and its role in the rainforest ecosystem.
Students will appreciate the cassowary's unique adaptations and its prehistoric connection.
Materials:
Projector and screen
Wordsearch worksheet with vocabulary
“Hey Cassowary” song by Caper Kids Music (prepared for playing)
“The Cassowary” YouTube video by Curiosity Capers
Lesson Duration: 30 - 45 minutes
Lesson Procedure:
Introduction (5 minutes)
Storytelling: Start by telling a story about a mysterious rainforest creature. Describe its large size, colorful feathers, and powerful legs. Ask students to guess what animal it might be.
Introducing the Cassowary: Show a picture of a cassowary and reveal it as the rainforest heavyweight. Discuss its title as the largest native vertebrate in Australia.
Activity 1: Cassowary Characteristics (15 minutes):
Option 1 (using video): Play the “The Cassowary” YouTube video by Curiosity Capers. Pause after key points and discuss the information presented. (e.g., size, second-heaviest bird, dinosaur feet).
Option 2 (no video): Explain the following facts about cassowaries using age-appropriate language:
Size: Second-heaviest bird on Earth, reaching up to 6 feet tall.
Appearance: Colorful feathers, large casque (helmet-like structure) on the head.
Feet: Three-toed feet with long, sharp claws - a reminder of dinosaurs.
Show pictures highlighting the cassowary's size, feet, and casque. Discuss the adaptations of these features for survival in the rainforest.
Activity 2: Word Search and Coloring (15 minutes):
Distribute the word search worksheet with vocabulary related to cassowaries (e.g., rainforest, heavyweight, bird, claws, fruit, jump, feathers). Students can work individually or in pairs to find the hidden words.
Hand out the cassowary coloring page. Encourage students to color them while considering the cassowary's physical features discussed earlier.
Activity 3: Song and Movement (5 minutes):
Play the “Hey Cassowary” song by Caper Kids Music. Explain that the song is about the interesting facts they learned about cassowaries.
Encourage students to sing along and move their bodies to the music. You can come up with simple actions for the lyrics (e.g., jump for high jump, wiggle for feathers).
Wrap-up (5 minutes):
Briefly review the key facts about cassowaries learned today.
Ask students to share their favorite fact or what surprised them most.
(Optional) Have students draw a picture of a cassowary in its rainforest habitat.
Assessment:
Observe student participation in discussions and activities.
Collect completed word search worksheets to check vocabulary understanding.
Briefly discuss students' coloring pages to see if they incorporated the cassowary's unique colourful features.
Differentiation:
For younger students, simplify the vocabulary and provide more visual aids.
For older students, discuss the threats cassowaries face and conservation efforts.
Provide different difficulty levels for the word search.
Extension Activities:
Students can research other flightless birds around the world and create a comparison chart.
Organize a class play where students act out the roles of different rainforest animals, including the cassowary, showcasing its interactions with its environment.
Have students write a short story about a day in the life of a young cassowary chick.
Remember to have fun and spark curiosity about the rainforest and its fascinating animals!