The Dwarf Cassowary is scientifically known as Casuarius bennetti, and happens to be the smallest of the three species of cassowaries. It is also known by the following names: Bennett’s Cassowary, Little Cassowary, Mountain Cassowary, or Mooruk.

Let’s now learn about the history behind the origination of its scientific name. The scientific name commemorates the Australian naturalist George Bennett. Indeed, after a few of these birds had been brought to Australia via a ship, he was the first scientist to examine them. He recognized them as representing a new species of cassowary, and sent specimens back to England where this was confirmed. A distinctive form exists on the west side of Geelvink Bay, western Irian, and this may merit a split. C. papuanus happens to be the tentative name. At the moment, there are no officially recognized sub-species, though some authors believe there should be.

Bats and flying birds are identified as one classification (yaket) by the Karam of the New Guinea Highlands, while the Dwarf Cassowary, an extremely large wingless, flightless bird is also identified as another classification (kobtiy).  Yaket are bony with wings and fly in the air. Kobtiy, on the other hand, are bony without wings and are terrestrial and of the forest. Kobtiy happen to be different from other bony wingless animals. This assertion is due to the fact that the kobtiy are not quadrupedal, like dogs and lizards, and are also not limbless, like snakes.

The Dwarf Cassowary is a large bird that has a height within the range 99 to 135 centimeters (3.25–4.43 ft). It has a weight of 18 kg (40 lb). This bird is flightless, and has a hard and stiff black plumage, a low triangular casque, pink cheek and red patches of skin on its blue neck. It possesses large and powerful feet, equipped with dagger-like claws on the inner toe. Critical observation reveals both sexes are similar. However, the females have longer casques, brighter bare skin color and furthermore, are larger in size. Unfortunately, the Dwarf Cassowary is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This is due to ongoing habitat loss, habitat degradation, and the fact that it is being hunted for food, and also being often kept in captivity.