Cassowaries are the only genus of large flightless birds of the cassowary family of the cassowary order, living in the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. The bird's name is borrowed from the Indonesian language, which is of Papuan origin, meaning "horned head".
Cassowaries are large flightless birds. Adult individuals of the helmeted cassowary reach up to 1.5-1.8 meters in height (some individuals can reach two meters) and weigh about 60 kilograms. Therefore, cassowaries are the largest birds in Australia and the second largest birds in the world (after the ostrich).
All three species have a growth on their head called a helmet. It consists of a horny substance around a hard material that has a spongy structure. There are several versions about the functions of this helmet. Perhaps it is a secondary sexual characteristic. According to another version, kazuras use a helmet to break through the undergrowth while running.
Cassowaries live in the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. The ranges of all three species partially overlap, however, cassowaries of different species avoid meetings, preferring to settle at different altitudes. Thus, the orange-necked cassowary lives mainly in lowland forests, the helmeted cassowary at medium altitudes, and the muruk in mountain forests. In areas where other species are not found, the muruk can descend to sea level.
Cassowaries feed primarily on fallen fruit or fruit from the lower branches of trees. They also feed on mushrooms, snails, insects, frogs, snakes and other small animals. Like other birds, cassowaries swallow stones, which serve as gastroliths. Cassowaries regularly drink water, which is always available in sufficient quantities in their natural habitat.
