Which rainforest bird is the largest living member of the cassowary family?

The southern cassowary is the largest living member of the cassowary family.

The southern cassowary is a large, flightless bird of northeastern Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. It inhabits tropical rainforests, swamps, mangroves, and adjacent woodland. A tall casque rises from the top of its head, while vivid blue and red skin covers much of its neck and throat.

Cassowaries are important seed dispersers. They swallow many fruits whole and can carry large seeds through the forest before depositing them elsewhere. This helps regenerate plant populations, especially species whose seeds are too large for many other rainforest animals to move.

The southern cassowary is often confused with the northern cassowary, which has a smaller distribution in New Guinea. Cassowaries are related to emus, rheas, kiwis, and ostriches, but they are not simply oversized turkeys or ostriches. Their powerful legs have three toes, including an inner toe with a large dagger-like claw.