cassowary

American  

[kas-uh-wer-ee] / ˈkæs əˌwɛr i /

noun

plural

cassowaries

1. any of several large flightless, ratite birds of the genus Casuarius, of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, characterized by a bony casque on the front of the head.

---

cassowary British  

/ ˈkæsəˌwɛərɪ /

noun

1. any large flightless bird of the genus Casuarius, inhabiting forests in NE Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, having a horny head crest, black plumage, and brightly coloured neck and wattles: order Casuariiformes See also ratite

---

Etymology

Origin of cassowary

1605–15; by uncertain mediation < Central Moluccan kasuwari, kasuwali

Example Sentences

"Birds like chickens, wrens and cassowaries have low values and tend not to fly very far," Baldwin said in explaining the index values.

From Science Daily

A southern cassowary chick, one of the world's largest and deadliest birds, has been successfully hatched for the first time at a bird park in the Cotswolds.

From BBC

A parrot with talons like an eagle and the hard head of a cassowary.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s because the southern cassowary, for all its fearsome reputation, is powerfully shy, and remarkably good at making itself scarce.

From New York Times

In an upcoming study, he posits that the style of horns adorning Tyrannosaurus’s skull are distinct to each species, like the contrasting crests differentiating cassowary species.

From New York Times