Cassowaries are large, flightless birds that are closely related to emus. They share many characteristics with rheas and ostriches too.

Life span
Cassowaries can live for over 60 years.

Statistics
Cassowaries stand about 2m tall and weigh about 60kg. The largest-known cassowary was 83kg. Cassowaries can run up to 50km/hr (32mph) and jump up to 1.5m (5 feet).

Physical description
The females are bigger and more brightly-coloured than the males. They have beautiful feathers and colourful markings on their head and neck and a helmet-like crest on the head. They protect themselves by kicking. Their three-toed feet have sharp claws; the dagger-like middle claw is 12cm long.

Distribution
The double-wattled cassowary is native to Australia and Southern New Guinea.

Habitat
They inhabit rainforest

Diet
Fallen fruit and fruit on low branches is the main component of thier diet. They also eat fungi, insects, frogs, snakes and other small animals. They may also hunt fish and crayfish in forest streams.

Behaviour
Cassowaries are solitary unless with young or paired in breeding season. They are very territorial and can be aggressive. They are secretive and generally hard to see in the wild.

Reproduction
Females lay 3-8 large, pale green-blue eggs. Only ostrich and emu eggs are bigger. The male incubates the eggs for 2 months, then cares for the brown-striped chicks for 9 months. The female does not care for the eggs or the chicks.

Conservation status
Cassowaries are listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable.

Voice
They emit a low boom, which is a territorial and mating display.