birdsoup

When Julie Craves, a contributing editor at BirdWatching magazine, was asked to name the world’s most dangerous bird, she immediately answered: a Cassowary.

A Cassowary is a large, heavy, flightless bird similar to an Ostrich. It is about 5 to 6 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds. Native to Australia, they are generally shy, solitary birds that live in deep forests. But they will defend themselves by kicking their adversary with their powerful legs. Each foot has three large toes. The inner or second of the three toes has a long, straight, murderous nail which can sever an arm or eviscerate an abdomen with ease. There is at least one documented case of Cassowary killing a human.

Julie relates the story of one Cassowary that took an instant dislike to a scientist. It held the scientist captive in his car by flattening all the tires and puncturing the radiator.

That story may or may not be true but does illustrate the power of an angry Cassowary. Not the type of bird you want to visit your backyard bird feeder.