Casuariiforms

Casuariiforms are a group of large, flightless birds belonging to the order Casuariiformes, which includes the emu (*Dromaius novaehollandiae*), the southern cassowary (*Casuarius unappendiculatus*), the northern cassowary (*Casuarius unicolor*), and the dwarf cassowary (*Casuarius bennetti*). These birds are native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the emu restricted to mainland Australia. Casuariiforms are among the largest living birds, with the emu reaching up to 1.9 meters in height and weighing up to 60 kilograms, while cassowaries can grow up to 1.8 meters tall and weigh around 70 kilograms.

Casuariiforms are characterized by their strong legs, which are adapted for running rather than flying. Their feathers are primarily used for insulation and display rather than flight, and their wings are reduced in size. The emu has a long neck and a small head, while cassowaries possess a distinctive casque—a bony helmet-like structure on their heads, the function of which is still debated among scientists. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, seeds, and small animals, with cassowaries playing a key role in seed dispersal in tropical forests.

These birds are generally solitary or found in small groups, with males taking on the primary role in incubation and raising the young. Emus and cassowaries are both culturally significant to Indigenous Australian and Papuan communities, often featured in folklore and traditional practices. Conservation efforts are in place for some species, particularly the northern cassowary, which faces threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Casuariiforms are classified as non-passerine birds, meaning they do not belong to the songbird group, and are more closely related to other ratites like ostriches and rheas.