We’ve all heard of ostriches and emus, of course; they’re the first and second (respectively) largest flightless birds in the world. The third largest bird in the world, however, is not quite as well-known as these two. The cassowary, native to New Guinea and Australia, are very shy birds (thus are rarely seen and not as popular as the ostrich and the emu) and while they are known to mainly survive on fruits that hang low on the branches or have fallen to the ground, they are also known as carnivores – they feed on invertebrate animals and suitably small vertebrate animals when the need arises. Other things that the cassowary feeds on are fungi, shoots, and grass seeds.

There are three major species of cassowary known and documented today, and these are the dwarf cassowary, the northern cassowary and the southern cassowary. All of these species live deep in their habitats, and tend to avoid contact with humans. This does not mean, however, that they are docile; cassowaries have been known to attack intruders with the sharp claws of their three-toed feet, killing the victim easily. All three species of cassowary are identified by the crests on their heads (shaped like a horn). The cassowary is a beautiful bird, and it is a shame that not more people are aware of their existence.