Cassowary vs. Emu — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 10, 2023
A cassowary is a large, flightless bird with a helmet-like casque, native to northern Australia and tropical forests of New Guinea; an emu is a tall, flightless bird indigenous to Australia, lacking a casque.
Difference Between Cassowary and Emu
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both the cassowary and the emu are large, flightless birds native to Australia, but they possess distinct characteristics and occupy different habitats. The cassowary is renowned for its striking blue and black coloration and its helmet-like casque on the top of its head. This casque is believed to serve various purposes, including protection when moving through dense forests and as a resonating chamber for vocalizations. Emus, on the other hand, lack such a casque. They exhibit a soft brown plumage and are primarily recognized for their height, making them the second-tallest bird in the world after the ostrich.
While both birds are native to Australia, they have different geographical distributions. Cassowaries are primarily found in the tropical rainforests of northern Australia and New Guinea. Their strong legs and sharp claws enable them to swiftly navigate dense undergrowth and defend themselves if needed. Emus, conversely, are more widespread across Australia and can adapt to a variety of environments, from grasslands to woodlands, even venturing into semi-arid areas. Their long legs allow them to run at impressive speeds when necessary.
Dietary differences further distinguish the cassowary and emu. Cassowaries are predominantly frugivores, meaning they mainly eat fruit. Their consumption of fruit plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, as they disperse seeds throughout the forest. Emus have a more varied diet, consuming plants, seeds, fruits, insects, and other small animals, making them omnivorous by nature.
Another notable distinction lies in their reproductive roles. In both species, it's the male that incubates the eggs and cares for the young. However, the specifics of their nesting behaviors and the appearance of their eggs differ. For instance, cassowary eggs are greenish in color, while emu eggs are dark green to almost black.
In conclusion, while cassowaries and emus share the characteristic of being large, flightless birds from Australia, they differ in appearance, habitat, diet, and certain behaviors. Recognizing these differences enriches our understanding of their unique evolutionary paths and ecological roles.
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Comparison Chart
Appearance
Blue and black with a helmet-like casque
Soft brown plumage without a casque
Habitat
Tropical rainforests of northern Australia and New Guinea
Widespread across Australia in various habitats
Diet
Predominantly fruit (frugivorous)
Varied, including plants, seeds, insects (omnivorous)
Egg Color
Greenish
Dark green to black
Geographical Range
More limited to tropical regions
Broad range across Australia
Compare with Definitions
Cassowary
Cassowary refers to a large flightless bird with a distinct casque on its head.
The cassowary's vibrant blue color made it stand out in the forest.
Emu
Emu refers to a tall, flightless bird native to Australia.
The emu sprinted across the plains with remarkable speed.
Cassowary
Cassowary implies a bird known for its powerful legs and sharp claws.
The cassowary defended its territory with surprising aggression.
Emu
Emu denotes the second-tallest bird in the world, after the ostrich.
Tourists were amazed by the emu's impressive height.
Cassowary
Cassowary can describe a frugivorous bird, vital for seed dispersal.
The forest depended on the cassowary for seed distribution.
Emu
Emu can describe a bird with soft brown plumage.
The emu's feathers felt surprisingly soft to touch.
Cassowary
Cassowary denotes a bird native to northern Australia and New Guinea.
The conservationist studied cassowary behavior in its natural habitat.
Emu
Emu suggests a bird known for its adaptability to diverse Australian habitats.
Despite the arid conditions, the emu thrived in the outback.
Cassowary
Cassowary suggests a bird with a unique helmet-like structure on its head.
Children were fascinated by the cassowary's casque at the zoo.
Emu
Emu implies an omnivorous bird with a varied diet.
The emu pecked at insects, seeds, and plants during its wanderings.
Cassowary
Casuarius is a genus of birds in the order Casuariiformes, whose members are the cassowaries. It is classified as a ratite (flightless bird without a keel on its sternum bone) and is native to the tropical forests of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesia), Aru Islands, and northeastern Australia.Three species are extant: The most common, the southern cassowary, is the third-tallest and second-heaviest living bird, smaller only than the ostrich and emu.
Emu
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. It is endemic to Australia where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius.
Cassowary
A very large flightless bird related to the emu, with a bare head and neck, a tall horny crest, and one or two coloured wattles. It is native mainly to the forests of New Guinea.
Emu
A large, flightless Australian bird (Dromaius novaehollandiae) that has shaggy brown plumage and is raised for its meat, oil, and leather.
Cassowary
Any of several large flightless birds of the genus Casuarius of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent areas, having a large bony projection on the top of the head and brightly colored wattles.
Emu
(obsolete) A cassowary (genus Casuarius).
Cassowary
A large flightless bird of the genus Casuarius that is native to Australia and New Guinea, has a characteristic bony crest on its head, and can be very dangerous.
Emu
A large flightless bird native to Australia, Dromaius novaehollandiae.
Cassowary
A large bird, of the genus Casuarius, found in the east Indies. It is smaller and stouter than the ostrich. Its head is armed with a kind of helmet of horny substance, consisting of plates overlapping each other, and it has a group of long sharp spines on each wing which are used as defensive organs. It is a shy bird, and runs with great rapidity. Other species inhabit New Guinea, Australia, etc.
Emu
(physics) electromagnetic unit
Cassowary
Large black flightless bird of Australia and New Guinea having a horny head crest
Emu
Clipping of emulator
Emu
A large Australian bird, of two species (Dromaius Novæ-Hollandiæ and D. irroratus), related to the cassowary and the ostrich. The emu runs swiftly, but is unable to fly.
Emu
Any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
Emu
Large Australian flightless bird similar to the ostrich but smaller
Common Curiosities
Are emus found outside of Australia?
Emus are native to Australia and are primarily found there, although some have been introduced to other parts of the world.
Which bird has a casque on its head?
The cassowary has a distinctive helmet-like casque on its head.
Are both the cassowary and emu flightless?
Yes, both the cassowary and emu are flightless birds.
Which of the two birds is taller?
The emu is taller, making it the second-tallest bird in the world after the ostrich.
Which bird is considered more aggressive?
Cassowaries are often considered more aggressive and can be dangerous when threatened.
What is the primary diet of the cassowary?
Cassowaries are primarily frugivorous, meaning they mostly consume fruit.
How do these birds fare in terms of speed?
Both birds can run at impressive speeds, with emus being among the fastest-running birds.
Are cassowary eggs the same color as emu eggs?
No, cassowary eggs are greenish, while emu eggs are dark green to almost black.
Do male emus play a role in rearing the young?
Yes, male emus incubate the eggs and care for the chicks once they hatch.
Do emus have a casque like cassowaries?
No, emus lack the helmet-like casque found on cassowaries.
How do cassowaries and emus differ in terms of habitat?
Cassowaries are found in tropical rainforests, while emus can adapt to various environments, including grasslands and woodlands.
How important are cassowaries to their ecosystem?
Cassowaries play a crucial role in their ecosystem, especially in seed dispersal due to their frugivorous diet.
Where can one typically observe these birds in the wild?
Cassowaries are primarily found in the tropical rainforests of northern Australia and New Guinea, while emus can be observed in various habitats across Australia.
Do emus and cassowaries have similar calls or vocalizations?
Both birds have unique calls, with the cassowary's deep rumble being distinctive due to its casque's possible amplification role.
Are cassowaries endangered?
Some species of cassowaries are considered endangered due to habitat loss and other threats.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
