cassowary

[ kas-uh-wer-ee ]

noun

, plural cas·so·war·ies.

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cassowary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cassowary¹

C17: from Malay kěsuari

Example Sentences

Evidence suggests that the loss of flight evolved independently as many as six times, rather than just once, in the ancestors of different ratites — the group of flightless birds including the extinct moa and elephant birds as well as the ostrich, kiwi, cassowary, emu and rhea.

From Salon

Before 2021, the hatching of Cassowary chicks in the UK was relatively rare.

From BBC

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

Southern cassowary populations have been observed to be declining for almost 80 years, and the species was officially listed as endangered in 2000.

From New York Times