Cassowary

The cassowary is a large flightless bird native to New Guinea, northern Australia, and nearby islands. Females are larger than males and may weigh about 100–160 pounds or more, while males often weigh about 70–120 pounds. Cassowaries have black hairlike plumage, bright blue and red skin on the head and neck, a tall casque on the head, and powerful legs with sharp claws. They are mostly solitary forest birds that feed on fruit and play an important role in seed dispersal. In the United States, cassowaries have been kept mainly in zoos and specialized facilities since the 20th century and require experienced handling because they can be dangerous.