The cassowary is considered the most dangerous bird in the world due to its incredibly powerful kicks. Cassowaries are large, flightless birds that can stand up to 6 feet tall and weigh up to 130 pounds. They have sharp claws on their toes that they use for kicking and can generate an astounding amount of force with their legs.
What is a cassowary?
Cassowaries belong to the ratite group of flightless birds that also includes ostriches, emus, rheas, and kiwis. There are three extant species of cassowary – the southern cassowary, northern cassowary, and dwarf cassowary. They are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and some islands of Indonesia.
Cassowaries are covered in coarse black feathers and have bright blue skin on their neck and head. They have a distinctive casque or crest on top of their head which is thought to help amplify their calls. Cassowaries have small vestigial wings with coarse quills, but they do not use them for flight. Their most notable feature is their powerful legs which have dagger-like claws up to 4 inches long.
Cassowary kick strength
Cassowaries use their strong legs and sharp claws for self-defense. When threatened, they will jump up and strike out with their feet, kicking their attacker with their large claws. This can cause serious puncture wounds, lacerations, and bruising.
Scientists have measured the force of a cassowary kick to be somewhere between 20 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). For comparison, this is stronger than a professional boxer’s punch which can generate around 60 to 70 psi.
One researcher found that a cassowary can kick with a force of 1,200 Newtons – equivalent to being struck by a 130 pound object moving at 24 mph. This enormous force is generated by the cassowary driving its thick, muscular leg downward while kicking out with its foot and claws.
Anatomy of a powerful kick
Cassowaries have several special anatomical adaptations that enable them to deliver such powerful kicks:
- Powerful leg muscles – Their legs make up a third of their total body weight and contain strong muscles needed for kicking.
- Solid foot bones – The cassowary’s foot bones are fused into a solid mass, unlike other birds with more delicate feet. This provides a sturdy striking surface.
- Long claws – Their dagger-like claws can grow up to 4 inches long, letting them slash deeply.
- Sharp inner claw – They have a special inner toe claw up to 5 inches long for stabbing.
With these adaptations, cassowaries can quickly and forcefully extend their legs and drive their clawed feet directly into a threat. The resulting kicks are extremely dangerous and capable of causing fatal injuries.
Cassowary attack injuries
Due to their powerful kicking legs, cassowaries can inflict serious wounds when they attack humans or animals. Documented injuries from cassowary attacks include:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations – from the dagger-like inner claw
- Serious bruising and broken bones – from the blunt force trauma of being kicked
- Eviscerations – the claws can cause injuries that disembowel victims
- Death – there have been two documented human deaths from cassowary attacks
Even a kick that misses can still batter a target. The most frequent injuries are deep puncture wounds and cuts, often on the legs or abdomen, that gouge flesh and damage organs. There are cases of legs being broken from being kicked and skulls fractured.
Without rapid medical treatment, cassowary attacks can easily be fatal due to blood loss from lacerations. The birds will kick repeatedly when attacking, so victims often sustain multiple life-threatening injuries.
Why cassowaries are so aggressive
Cassowaries are usually shy, solitary birds that tend to avoid humans in the dense rainforests they inhabit. However, in some cases they can become surprisingly aggressive and attack people and animals that get too close.
There are a few reasons why cassowaries may attack:
- Territoriality – They are highly territorial and will kick to protect themselves, their chicks, or their territory.
- Self-defense – They may attack if they feel cornered or threatened.
- Habituation – Birds that have become accustomed to being fed by people can attack when expecting food.
- Brooding behavior – Male cassowaries incubate eggs and are especially aggressive when guarding their nest.
Cassowaries give visual warnings like hissing, ruffling feathers, or stamping feet before attacking. But if they feel provoked, they will not hesitate to leap up and kick with their razor-sharp talons.
Deadliest confirmed cassowary attacks
There are only a handful of confirmed human deaths caused by cassowary attacks. Here are some of the deadliest recorded attacks:
Phillip McClean, Australia (1926)
16-year-old Phillip McClean and his brother unwittingly walked into a cassowary nesting area in Australia. When one of the birds charged them, Phillip tripped and fell. The cassowary proceeded to kick him repeatedly in the neck, reportedly causing fatal injuries.
Hans Bollinger, Florida (2019)
75-year-old Hans Bollinger was attacked by a cassowary he kept on his property in Florida. The details are unclear, but Bollinger sustained fatal injuries to his abdomen and fell, dying from his wounds.
Debra Kohlman, Florida (2019)
The same cassowary that killed its owner Hans Bollinger went on to attack and kill a woman visiting the property the following week. 61-year-old Debra Kohlman was attacked when she fell while trying to protect her dogs. She suffered severe lacerations and died at the scene.
These deadly attacks illustrate the shocking damage cassowaries are capable of inflicting with their powerful legs and dagger-like claws. A cassowary kick to the head or neck can quickly prove fatal.
Surviving a cassowary encounter
Cassowaries are rightfully considered the most dangerous birds in the world, but fatal encounters are still extremely rare. Only two human deaths have been verified in the last 100 years.
Here are some tips for avoiding injury in a cassowary encounter:
- Do not approach or startle the birds
- Watch for warning signs like hissing and stamping feet
- Back away slowly to give the cassowary space
- Do not run or turn your back which may provoke an attack
- Use a solid object like a backpack or jacket to protect yourself
- Curl up in a ball if attacked to protect vital organs
- Seek immediate medical help for any bites or kicks
Paying attention to warning signs, avoiding startling the birds, and not turning your back can go a long way to preventing an attack. But if one does occur, cover up and get medical assistance as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
Cassowaries can kick with a force up to 1,200 Newtons – equivalent to being hit by a 130lb object moving at 24mph. This is due to their thick, muscular legs and dagger-like claws. Documented injuries include punctures, lacerations, broken bones, and death. Although attacks are rare, their powerful kicks make cassowaries the world’s most dangerous birds.
