While the age of dinosaurs may be long gone, these majestic and terrifying creatures continue on today as various bird species. And while the typical cardinal or bluebird doesn’t pose the slightest threat to anyone, many birds are still living up to the legacy of their ancestors. Whether they stand at nine feet tall or less than nine inches, these are the four deadliest birds on Earth.
1. Southern Cassowary: The World’s Most Dangerous Bird
While there are quite a few birds worth being a little afraid of, there’s little argument that the Southern Cassowary deserves the distinction of the most dangerous bird on Earth. Despite being concentrated exclusively in Australia and having population numbers that put them on the endangered species list, this deadliest bird on Earth has made hundreds of attacks on humans and at least one fatality associated with the Southern Cassowary. Most of these attacks were the result of humans trying to feed or otherwise interact with these large birds.
2. Crowned Eagle: The Only Known Avian Man-Eater
Bird fatalities are rare, and even the most dangerous of birds rarely cause injuries unless they’re first provoked — but this deadliest bird on Earth known as the African crowned eagle could be the exception that proves the rule. Their claws are viciously designed to sink into prey like meat hooks and lurch back into the sky without even pausing, and that prey includes victims as large as monkeys and even potentially children. Remains of the bird found in 1924 were accompanied by the skull of a primitive human child, and it had talon markings consistent with the feeding patterns of the bird. Even today, stories persist of this bold and relentless predator hunting human children for food. And as these hawks become a normal presence throughout South African cities, likely, these rumors will only grow. But if humans are prey, they aren’t common prey. They’re far more deadly to small mammals like mongooses and rats, though they can also make quick work of antelopes, whose skulls they can capably crush with their powerful claws.
3. Pitohui: The World’s Only Toxic Bird
New Guinea‘s pitohui is the world’s only toxic bird, and, considering it’s one of the deadliest birds on Earth, that’s something we should probably all be grateful for. That’s because the toxin that their bodies produce — batrachotoxin — is the same employed by South America’s deadly poison dart frog. Even more frighteningly, this toxin is delivered in the same way — through simple touch. Locals know how to identify a pitouhi on sight alone, and they know to avoid them at all costs. It’s a quality that was first discovered by the scientific community when researchers inadvertently got the poison on their lips and felt them become numb — although exposure can certainly be fatal.
4. Ostrich: The Heavyweight Champ of the Bird World
Ostriches have a strong data point to support their argument as the deadliest birds on the planet — at least five confirmed human deaths. Similar in physiology to the Cassowary, these birds call Africa home, and their strong legs and six-inch talons can kill a lion, disembowel a human, or even puncture the frame of a car. Fortunately, while these birds can be lethal, they rarely attack unless they feel like they’re being threatened. Unfortunately, males tend to get very aggressive during mating season, and miscommunication has led to conflicts between humans and these birds in the past. But even if they aren’t intent on hurting you, these dangerous birds are big enough to be terrifying. They’re the largest bird in the world, with the largest members of the species clocking in at over 300 pounds. Males can even reach a height exceeding nine feet. Practically half of that height is devoted to their awkward-looking necks. And while these birds may look gawky, they have the speed to back up that power. They can reach a top speed of over 40 miles per hour.
