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Southern cassowary

Australia·Bird

These large birds cannot fly due to their small wing size. Instead, they have powerful legs. Cassowaries move through forests almost silently, and when alarmed can run at speeds of 31mph. Solitary birds, they can be aggressive when defending their territory against other birds, and even people.

  • Southern cassowary
  • Conservation StatusLeast Concern
  • Life span12-40 years
  • Body size4.9-5.9 ft. tall
  • Native habitat Rainforests, mangroves, and savannahs of northern Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea
  • DietFruits, invertebrates, small vertebrates, and carrion
Salmon-crested cockatoo Pied imperial pigeon

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