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Like the ostrich, it is a fast-running, powerful bird of the open plains and woodlands. Also native to Australia and the islands to the north are the three species of cassowary. Shorter than an emu, but heavier and solidly built, cassowaries prefer thickly vegetated tropical forest.
The most common, the southern cassowary, [7] is the third-tallest and second-heaviest living bird, smaller only than the ostrich and emu. The other two species are represented by the northern cassowary and the dwarf cassowary ; the northern cassowary is the most recently discovered and the most threatened. [ 7 ]
The Emu War (or Great Emu War) [2] was a nuisance wildlife management military operation undertaken in Australia over the later part of 1932 to address public concern over the number of emus, a large flightless bird indigenous to Australia, said to be destroying crops in the Campion district within the Wheatbelt of Western Australia.
The genus was used by Linnaeus and other early taxonomists to include the emu, rhea, and cassowary, until they each were placed in their own genera. [1] The Somali ostrich ( Struthio molybdophanes ) has recently become recognized as a separate species by most authorities, while others are still reviewing the evidence.
The emu is the second tallest bird in the world, only being exceeded in height by the ostrich; [32] the largest individuals can reach up to 150 to 190 cm (59 to 75 in) in height. Measured from the bill to the tail, emus range in length from 139 to 164 cm (55 to 65 in), with males averaging 148.5 cm (58.5 in) and females averaging 156.8 cm (61.7 ...
Some Australian fossils initially believed to be from emus were recognized to represent a distinct genus, Emuarius, [a] which had a cassowary-like skull and femur and an emu-like lower leg and foot. In addition, the first fossils of mihirungs were initially believed to be from giant emus, [ b ] but these birds were completely unrelated.
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Skeletal mount (note damaged skull) Presently, most authorities consider the southern cassowary monotypic, but several subspecies have been described. [3] It has proven very difficult to confirm the validity of these due to individual variations, age-related variations, the relatively few available specimens (and the bright skin of the head and neck – the basis upon which several subspecies ...