Large flightless bird, akin to members of the raptite family, as well as ornithomimid dinosaurs. Head is reptilian, with an elongated muzzle. Eyes are fairly large, with semi-rounded, vertical slit pupils. Its tongue is forked, much like a snake's. Projecting from its cranium, upwards and back from the skull, is a long, curved tube-like crest. While the cranium, cranial crest, and upper mandible share one color, the lower mandible and cheeks share another. From the underside of the neck to the belly are large oblong gastrosteges, or ventral scales, sharing coloration with the lower mandible and cheeks. Back and sides of the neck, as well as the body, hips, thighs, and base of the tail are covered by furlike feathers. Wings are more akin to arms, with three fingers sporting sharp claws. Legs are long and powerful. Scutes cover the legs and dorsal surfaces of toes. Feet have four clawed toes - three at the front and one at the back. Tail is scaly, long and whiplike, terminating in a rounded section resembling the hood of a cobra, with the head replaced with a large spike. Dorsal scales of the tail's rounded end has markings or color patterns. Tail itself shares coloration with the lower mandible, cheeks, and ventral scales.

Ratite-reptile hybrid. Endotherm.

Cranium, cranial crest, upper mandible, patterns: Light green, black, yellow, white sand
Lower mandible, cheeks, ventral scales, tail: Light orange, light blue, light brown, gray
Feathers: Purple, orange, green, beige

Biped, particularly struthiomimus or ostriches.

Height: 2.1—2.8m (6'11"—9'2")
Weight: 255—350 lbs. (115.6—158.7 kg)

Males are larger, have longer crests, and vibrantly-colored plumage and scales. Vibrant colors, sans desert strains. Long tongue. Sharp claws. Long, stinger-tipped tail.

Feathers, scales.

Primarily reactionary, rather than instigating. Turn aggressive if cornered or young are threatened. Territorial, especially against other types of cassbewary. Upon spotting intruders or threats, adults stand their ground and stare while lowly hissing before any attacks are made.

Powerful legs, foot claws capable of disembowelment. Sharp claws. Venom generation and stinger tail. Will use their tail to impale and envenomate.

Heightened alertness. Poison resistance. Regenerative tail. Camouflage. Running.

80.5 km/h (50 mph)

Enhanced endurance and agility. Enhanced vision and sense of smell.

Limited range. Reliant on venom.

Chirping, screeching, hissing. Low hiss as an auditory aposematic warning signal.

Body can be skewered on a metal rod and barbecued, and goes best when filled with one's favored sauce or stuffing to allow the flavors to blend. When braised, shanks make a quality alternative to most gamefowl.

Eggs make for ordinary, if larger-than-standard omelettes.

Different types of cassbewary are known to inhabit forests, plains, and even deserts. Though primarily desiring warmer climates, one variety has been spotted in colder regions.

Omnivorous. Favors poisonous plants (roots, leaves, etc.) Insects, reptiles, and rodents.

Nomadic. Cassbewary will travel until finding an area suiting their tastes or needs, usually in groups and with other grazing animals.

Oviparous (egg-laying). Females 7–10 eggs in a pit dug by their male partner, or a simple constructed nest. Eggs are traditionally incubated by females, with the males procuring food for her, but males may take over at night.

Adolescents form groups for survival. Adults are generally monogamous, and usually stay together for life. During breeding season, or periods of extensive food shortage, adults may live in groups of up to 60, lead by a matriarch.

Cassowary, ornithomimid dinosaurs.