鹤鸵目的动物本来归入鸵鸟目，现在已独立成为一目。牠是动物分类学上是鸟纲中的一个目，包括鹤鸵、鸸鹋等动物。

The bird order Casuariiformes has four surviving members: the three species of cassowary, and the only remaining species of emu. The emus are classified in the family, Dromaiidae, while the cassowaries are all located within the Casuariidae family.

All four members of the order are very large flightless birds native to Australia-New Guinea. The characteristics of the family are those of its members.