The term 'CASSOWARIES' Cousins' refers to the four-letter word 'Emus'. Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia and the surrounding islands. They are the second-largest living bird by height, after the ostrich. Emus are closely related to the cassowary, another large, flightless bird found in Australia and New Guinea. Both species are members of the ratite family, which also includes the rhea, kiwi, and ostrich.