Cassowary

/ˈkæsəwɛri/ noun

Definition

A large, flightless bird native to rainforests of New Guinea and Australia with a distinctive helmet-like crest on its head and brightly colored neck and face.

Etymology

From Malay kasuari, borrowed into English through contact with Indonesian traders; the word eventually entered scientific nomenclature for this unique bird.

Kelly Says

Cassowaries are one of the few birds dangerous enough to seriously injure humans thanks to their powerful leg claws—they're so formidable that some Aboriginal cultures consider them forest guardians, and they're crucial for rainforest seed dispersal.

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