Meet the Cassowary: The World’s Most Dangerous Bird

Known as the world’s most dangerous bird, this flightless creature might not seem threatening at first glance.

But make no mistake: getting too close could land you in serious trouble.

A Closer Look at the Cassowary

The red-necked cassowary, also known as the golden-necked cassowary, lives in the remote rainforests of Papua New Guinea and parts of northern Australia.

Adults can grow to around 5 to 6 feet tall and weigh between 120 to 190 pounds, making them one of the largest and heaviest bird species on the planet.

Their striking appearance includes jet-black feathers, a bright blue face, and a red-to-yellow neck with a bony, helmet-like casque on their heads.

They can also sprint at speeds of up to 30 mph and have muscular legs with claws up to 4 inches long—claws sharp enough to slice through flesh or break bones.

Why You Don’t Want to Mess with One

While cassowaries usually keep to themselves, they’re known to turn aggressive when they feel threatened.

They’ve been responsible for a few recorded human deaths, including a fatal incident in 2019.

Most attacks involve powerful kicks or slashes from those deadly claws.

Despite their fearsome reputation, cassowaries are more endangered than they are aggressive.

With fewer than 1,000 left in the wild, they face shrinking habitats and threats from predators like wild boars and dogs.

Still, it’s best to admire these modern-day dinosaurs from a safe distance.

They may not breathe fire or fly, but when it comes to defense, the cassowary is a bird you don’t want to ruffle.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.