How to Draw a Southern Cassowary

In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Southern Cassowary in 6 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.

The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.

Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.

At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Southern Cassowary.

Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.

How to Draw a Southern Cassowary - Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: The head of the southern cassowary looks like a bird with a mohawk on its head!

Step 2: Add the face: draw a line across and down the middle of the beak, give your bird an eye, and draw some facial lines.

Step 3: Now draw the neck. It is long and thin. Add some feathery details.

Step 4: Then make the body. It is boxy with a rounded rump. This is a very large bird that can't fly.

Step 5: Draw the first leg. Use big thick lines for the legs and for the toes.

Step 6: Finally draw the other leg. It is bent in the picture to make the bird appear to be walking, but you can make straight lines, too, if you're having trouble. Color your bird's body black, its head and neck blue, and that bump on top of his head is brown.

Interesting Facts about the Southern Cassowary

A large flightless bird related to the Emu and Ostritch the Southern Cassowary they can be found in the jungles of New Guinea, Southeastern Australia, and surrounding islands. They have a bright blue face, two red wattles hanging from its neck, and horn-like casque atop its head. They are famous for their large three clawed feet and a kick powerful enough to kill a human.

Did you know?

  • Female Southern Cassowary’s are more dominant than males, the males are the ones who incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.
  • Southern Cassowary’s are the heaviest birds on the planet weighing up to 187lb’s and standing 75in tall.
  • The purpose of the casque on their head is unknown but scientists believe it maybe used to help push through heavy brush.
  • Despite their fearsome reputation the Southern Cassowary’s diet is mostly made up of fruit.
  • The Southern Cassowary’s name comes from a Papuan word that means ‘horned head’.

Lesson plan note: One of the best ways to know a Southern Cassowary is in the area is a large three toed footprint. Mix enough plaster for every student in the class and have them try to create their own version of a Southern Cassowary footprint.

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