Common Myna vs Southern Cassowary
Acridotheres tristis compared with Casuarius casuarius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Myna | Southern Cassowary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acridotheres tristis | Casuarius casuarius |
| Order | Passeriformes | Casuariiformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Casuariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | 155.0 cm (61.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.0 cm (15.0 in) | 60.2 cm (23.7 in) |
| Weight | 120.0 g (4.23 oz) | 58000.0 g (2045.89 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects, fruit, grain, and kitchen scraps. Bold and opportunistic around human settlements. | Primarily fallen fruit from the rainforest floor, also fungi, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. A critical … |
| Clutch Size | 2-6 | 3-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Common Myna only
Southern Cassowary only
Common Myna
Urban areas, farmland, and open woodland. Closely associated with humans and one of the most successful avian urban colonizers.
Southern Cassowary
Tropical rainforests, mangroves, and adjacent habitat in New Guinea and northeastern Australia.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Myna
A noisy, cackling chatter and melodious whistling mixed together. An accomplished mimic of other birds and sounds. Gives repeated 'mee-ow' and harsh 'quarr' alarm calls.
Southern Cassowary
Produces very deep, booming rumbles and low-frequency calls below 20 Hz (infrasound), felt more than heard. Also gives loud bellowing grunts audible up to 1 km away.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Myna
Native to South and Southeast Asia. Introduced and invasive in Australia, South Africa, Middle East, and many Pacific islands.
Southern Cassowary
New Guinea, nearby islands, and northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Conservation Status
Common Myna
Southern Cassowary
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Myna
Brown body with a glossy black hood, yellow bill, and bare yellow skin behind the eye. White wing patches conspicuous in flight. Yellow legs.
Strong, slightly curved yellow bill
Southern Cassowary
Glossy black hair-like plumage. Brilliant blue and red bare skin on the head and neck. A large bony casque crowns the head. Vestigial wings with no flight feathers.
Long, laterally compressed, dark grey bill
About These Birds
Common Myna
The common myna has been named one of the world's 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN. Originally from South Asia, it has been introduced to tropical regions worldwide where it outcompetes native birds for nest cavities. Despite its invasive status, the myna is an intelligent and charismatic bird capable of mimicking human speech.
Southern Cassowary
The southern cassowary is often called the most dangerous bird in the world due to its powerful legs and dagger-like inner claw that can reach 12 cm in length. Despite this reputation, cassowaries are vital rainforest keystone species, dispersing seeds of plants that no other animal can. The purpose of their distinctive casque remains debated.