Secretary Bird vs Southern Cassowary
Sagittarius serpentarius compared with Casuarius casuarius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Secretary Bird | Southern Cassowary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sagittarius serpentarius | Casuarius casuarius |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Casuariiformes |
| Family | Sagittariidae | Casuariidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) | 155.0 cm (61.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 210.0 cm (82.7 in) | 60.2 cm (23.7 in) |
| Weight | 3700.0 g (130.51 oz) | 58000.0 g (2045.89 oz) |
| Diet | Snakes, lizards, small mammals, and large insects. Hunts on foot, stomping prey to death with … | Primarily fallen fruit from the rainforest floor, also fungi, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. A critical … |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 3-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Secretary Bird
Open grasslands, savannas, and light woodland across sub-Saharan Africa. Avoids dense forests and very arid regions.
Southern Cassowary
Tropical rainforests, mangroves, and adjacent habitat in New Guinea and northeastern Australia.
Song & Call Comparison
Secretary Bird
A surprisingly deep, resonant croaking 'kowrr-kowrr' often heard at dawn on African savannas. Also gives pig-like grunting sounds. Mostly silent compared to true songbirds.
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
Secretary Bird
Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and Somalia south to South Africa. Resident throughout its range.
Southern Cassowary
New Guinea, nearby islands, and northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Conservation Status
Secretary Bird
Southern Cassowary
How to Tell Them Apart
Secretary Bird
Grey body plumage with black flight feathers and thigh feathers. Distinctive long black crest feathers trail from the back of the head. Orange-red bare facial skin.
Short, strong, hooked greyish bill with a yellowish cere
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
Secretary Bird
The secretary bird is the only raptor that hunts primarily on foot, striding through grasslands on crane-like legs up to 1.2 meters tall. Its name may derive from the crest feathers resembling quill pens tucked behind a secretary's ear. The species is classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and decline across much of its range.
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.