the southern cassowary is a large flighless bird found in Australia and the surrounding islands. It is one of three living species of cassowary, alongside the northern cassowary and the dwarf cassowary. It is a ratite and therefore related to the ostrich, emus, kiwis and rheas. Southern cassowaries will forage on the forest floor for fallen fruit, and are capable of safely digesting some fruits toxic to other animals. They also eat fungi, and some insects and small vertebrates.