At Wongaling Beach in far north Queensland state, Peter and Sue Leach were in their house earlier this week when the bird, nicknamed “Peanut” by a neighbour, roamed in.
The avian can grow up to two metres (6ft 6ins) tall and can weigh 76 kilogrammes (167 pounds).
The southern cassowary is an endangered species. It is found only in the tropical rainforests of northeast Queensland, Papua New Guinea and some surrounding islands. It is Australia’s heaviest flightless bird.
Due to its aggressiveness, it is described as one of the world’s deadliest birds and can seriously hurt humans and pets by kicking them with its large, clawed feet.