Australia’s ‘dinosaur’ bird, the fearsome cassowary, stares down extinction

With legs like a velociraptor and a striking neon blue neck, the southern cassowary cuts a fearsome figure in the rainforests of northeast Australia.

It is best to admire these human-sized birdies – and their rapier-sharp 10 centimetre (four inch) talons – from afar.

“It’s a modern-day dinosaur,” said Peter Rowles, the president of a community group protecting the endangered birds.

Fiercely territorial, when threatened they hiss and make a deep rumbling boom.

“When you first look at them eye to eye, that can be intimidating, because they’ve got big eyes, and they look straight at you, and they do look a bit fierce,” said Rowles.

These flightless birds are only found in Australia, New Guinea and some Pacific islands.