SOUTHERN CASSOWARY
Casuarius casuarius
The southern cassowary is one of the most prehistoric-looking birds, found prowling through New Guinea and mainland Australia. Towering up to two metres, cassowaries are one of the tallest birds. Topping off their height is a prominent helmet called a casque, made of a thick layer of keratin – the same material that makes up your nails and hair. Cassowaries use these helmets to push past vegetation as they run through the forest. As well as being one of the biggest bird species, they’ve also gained the reputation of being one of the most dangerous. As one of the few birds recorded to have killed humans, cassowaries use their sharp three-toed feet – sporting a middle ten-centimetre long toe – to deliver a fatal swipe to their target.