Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United States
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United States
  3. 2022
  4. June 19
  5. Southern cassowary father with chicks, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Southern cassowary father with chicks, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia

June 19, 2022

Southern cassowary father with chicks, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia

© Martin Willis/Minden Picture

Angry bird, doting dad. Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! To celebrate, we're venturing into a tropical forest in Queensland, Australia, to visit one of nature's most protective fathers, the southern cassowary, the largest of three species of this flightless bird. The cassowary has earned the title of the 'world's most dangerous bird' because of its sharp, dagger-like claws and aggressive behavior. Cassowaries, like this doting father and his chicks, are notorious for attacking and sometimes killing domestic animals and even humans. In the wild, adult birds are so belligerent that they have no natural predators. Their young, however, need some protection. That's when dad steps in.

Once a mother cassowary lays eggs, she essentially abandons the family and moves on to start another. Cassowaries are solitary birds, so this abandonment of the chicks comes naturally. But dad understands his children need some assistance. He'll sit on the eggs for upwards of 50 days, making sure to add or remove nesting material to keep their home at the perfect temperature. During this time, he's so attuned to keeping the eggs safe, he often skips meals. Upon hatching, chicks can stay in the nest for nine months. Dad stays by their side the whole time, often taking them out to feed and to teach them the ways of the world.

Snakes, lizards, and eagles that try to capture a cassowary chick are often met by extremely aggressive kicks with those claws that can eviscerate the would-be attacker. Once the chicks come of age, papa cassowary chases them away and gets ready to do it all again with another brood. While there are no reports of his kids returning to deliver 'World's Greatest Dad' mugs or ashtrays, the male cassowary's dedication to fatherhood has earned our admiration.

outdoor bird grass animal colorful cassowary

Related Images

Blackbird in Essex, EnglandBlackbird in Essex, England
Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New MexicoSandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Gentoo penguins in AntarcticaGentoo penguins in Antarctica
A northern cardinal perched in a common winterberry bush in Marion County, IllinoisA northern cardinal perched in a common winterberry bush in Marion County, Illinois
Great horned owls and a gilded flicker on a saguaro cactus in the Sonoran Desert, ArizonaGreat horned owls and a gilded flicker on a saguaro cactus in the Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Great blue herons building a nest in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, FloridaGreat blue herons building a nest in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, Florida
North American river otters swimming in Acadia National Park, MaineNorth American river otters swimming in Acadia National Park, Maine
Mute swan in Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, near Valkenswaard, the NetherlandsMute swan in Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, near Valkenswaard, the Netherlands

Today on Bing

People surfing at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Australia

People surfing at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Australia

Jun 19, 2021
The Texas African American History Memorial on the State Capitol grounds in Austin, Texas

The Texas African American History Memorial on the State Capitol grounds in Austin, Texas

Jun 19, 2020
Aerial view of the cherry laurel maze in Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall, England

Aerial view of the cherry laurel maze in Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall, England

Jun 19, 2019
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company performs ‘Revelations’ in New York City

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company performs ‘Revelations’ in New York City

Jun 19, 2018
West Caucasian tur father and kid

West Caucasian tur father and kid

Jun 19, 2017

Related Tags

animal bird outdoor tree branch water aquatic bird colorful lake duck goose plant grass owl sitting oscine standing flock text group
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
Download 6156x3463
  • © 2023 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.