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 origin
C17: from Malay kěsuari
Examples of 'cassowaries' in a sentence
cassowaries
Other species found there include birds of paradise, giant cassowaries and the tree kangaroo.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The team also came across giant-crowned pigeons, giant cassowaries and 13 species of birds of paradise.
The Sun (2006)
Peacocks and pixels, cassowaries and high couture meet in this eccentric celebration of pattern, texture and shape.