Which Australian bird has a helmet-like casque and is considered dangerous when threatened?

The southern cassowary is the Australian bird with a helmet-like casque that can be dangerous when threatened.

The southern cassowary is a large, flightless rainforest bird found mainly in northern Queensland, with additional populations in New Guinea and nearby islands. Its casque is a tall structure on top of the head. Scientists have proposed several functions for it, including display, protection, and helping the bird move through dense vegetation, but its exact role remains debated.

Cassowaries have powerful legs and a long inner toe bearing a large claw. They normally avoid people, but defensive attacks can cause serious injury if a bird is cornered, fed, or approached too closely. The species’ bright blue neck, red wattles, and black body feathers make it distinctive.

Cassowaries are important seed dispersers in tropical forests. They swallow fruit whole and can transport seeds over long distances. They are often confused with emus, but cassowaries have a casque, colorful neck skin, and a more restricted rainforest distribution.