[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40094","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":"Cassowary"}}]]Did you guess today's Funky Find? Here's the story behind the cassowary mount, as told by our Archivist and Registrar, Jennifer Noffze, who is always on the hunt for funky finds in the Children's Museum collection!
Cassowaries are flightless birds native to Australia where they are confined to the rainforests and associated areas in northern Queensland. Subspecies of the cassowary also occur in New Guinea and some of the surrounding islands. Only ostriches and emus are taller and heavier than cassowaries. While cassowaries are flightless, they can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour! Females are larger than males and they have more brightly colored feathers.
Not much is known about the true purpose of the large spongy crest on the tops of a cassowary’s head, but it is believed that the crest may be used to assert dominance, settle disputes or assist with navigating through thick underbrush. With much of the rainforests being cleared for farming, roads, and residential and industrial development, the habitat of the cassowary is in decline. They are also particularly vulnerable to dogs and cars. This mount was given to the museum in 1950.
Looking for more? Go behind the scenes in The Children's Museum's collection when you check out the full blog category.