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The Dwarf Cassowary, Casuarius bennetti also known as Bennett's Cassowary 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 claw on its inner toe. Both sexes are similar. Female has longer casque, brighter bare skin color and larger in size. The Dwarf Cassowary is distributed throughout mountain forests of New Guinea, New Britain and Yapen Island. The 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. Due to ongoing habitat lost, hunted for food and often kept in captivity, the Dwarf Cassowary is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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