The cassowary is a large, flightless bird native to the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia, often cited as one of the world’s most dangerous birds. This massive creature belongs to a group of birds called ratites, along with emus and ostriches. The Southern Cassowary, the largest of the three species, can stand up to six feet tall and weigh close to 170 pounds. Its imposing size and powerful build establish its physical dominance in its rainforest habitat. The bird’s reputation comes from its capacity to inflict severe injury, a threat amplified by its speed and muscularity. This danger, however, is almost entirely rooted in defensive actions, not predatory hunting.
Physical Attributes Contributing to Danger
The primary feature contributing to the cassowary’s dangerous reputation is the specialized anatomy of its feet. Each of the three toes is equipped with sharp claws, but the claw on the inner toe is dramatically elongated and straight, resembling a dagger or blade. This weapon can measure up to five inches long and is rigid and sharp. The cassowary uses this claw as a defensive tool, delivering powerful, slashing kicks to perceived threats.
The bird’s overall physical strength amplifies the effect of this claw. The cassowary possesses thick, muscular legs designed for explosive movement and powerful strikes. These legs allow the bird to run at speeds up to 31 miles per hour, even through dense forest undergrowth. This speed makes outrunning a charging cassowary virtually impossible in a close-quarters encounter.
In addition to its speed, the cassowary can jump nearly five feet straight into the air. This ability to leap and kick simultaneously allows the bird to target a threat’s torso or head with precision. A single strike from a cassowary’s powerful leg, armed with the five-inch talon, is capable of causing deep cuts, serious puncture wounds, and potentially fatal internal injuries. This combination of speed, size, and a specialized anatomical weapon is what makes the cassowary a formidable force in its environment.
Understanding Aggressive Behavior
Despite its physical capacity, the cassowary is naturally shy and reclusive, preferring to avoid human contact deep within the rainforest. Encounters that turn aggressive are overwhelmingly defensive, occurring when the bird feels cornered, surprised, or threatened. The most common trigger for dangerous encounters is human feeding, which habituates the birds to people and food sources.
When a cassowary associates people with food, it becomes bolder and may aggressively demand a handout, leading to confrontation when the food is not given. Aggression also escalates during the breeding season, as the male cassowary is highly protective of its eggs and chicks. Approaching a male with young is a common way to trigger a defensive charge. Humans who place themselves between a cassowary and its chicks or its territory are likely to be viewed as a direct threat.
Cassowaries often give clear warnings before an attack, which may include hissing, deep booming vocalizations, or puffing up their feathers to appear larger. An attack is typically a sustained charge, often involving a jumping, slashing kick. Human fatalities are extremely rare, with only a few documented instances in history. The danger lies in the bird’s power and speed when it perceives its life or its young are in jeopardy.
Preventing Encounters and Staying Safe
The most important step in preventing a dangerous cassowary encounter is to never feed the birds. Feeding them not only puts people at risk by removing the bird’s natural wariness but also encourages them to frequent human-populated areas, increasing the risk of vehicle strikes. It is also important to secure all food, garbage, and compost bins tightly when in cassowary habitat to avoid attracting them.
When traveling in known cassowary country, maintaining a significant distance is mandatory. Never approach an adult cassowary, and avoid getting between a male and its chicks, which are typically guarded closely. If a cassowary approaches, the correct response is to remain calm and back away slowly, always facing the bird.
Do not attempt to run, as the bird’s top speed will quickly close the distance, intensifying the encounter. If the bird becomes aggressive or charges, try to place a solid barrier between yourself and the cassowary, such as a large tree, a vehicle, or even a backpack used as a shield. Remaining still or crouching low may also signal that you are not a threat. The primary goal should be to safely create distance without provoking a chase.