Cassowary

rainforest · flightless bird · giant bird · Australia

Incredibly strong legs. Cassowaries are some of the most powerful birds on Earth, with sturdy legs built for walking through dense rainforest vegetation and kicking when threatened. Their feet have long, sharp claws that can grow up to 5 inches long.

Unique helmet head. The cassowary has a tall, bony bump called a casque on top of its head that looks like a helmet. Scientists think this might help the bird push through thick jungle plants or signal to other cassowaries.

Rainforest wanderer. These birds live only in the tropical forests of New Guinea, the nearby Moluccas islands, and northeastern Australia, where they walk around eating fruits that have fallen from trees. They are crucial to their forests because they spread seeds through their droppings.

Cannot fly at all. Cassowaries are ratites, a special group of flightless birds with flat breastbones instead of the keel-shaped bones that flying birds need. Even though they cannot fly, their powerful legs let them run fast through the rainforest.

Colorful neck and head. Despite their dark feathers, cassowaries have brilliant blue, red, and purple skin on their neck and head that makes them look truly remarkable in the rainforest light.