A Southern Cassowary stands in Queensland, Australia. CNN
Australia is known for its dangerous wildlife, from venomous snakes to giant spiders. But there’s one creature that truly scares Australians—a bird called the cassowary.
This massive, flightless bird looks like something from prehistoric times. It can grow as tall as a human, weigh up to 140 pounds, and has sharp, dagger-like claws. With its piercing eyes and glossy black feathers, it has an intimidating presence.
“There’s just something primeval about them,” says Andrew Mack, who spent years studying cassowaries in Papua New Guinea. “They look like living dinosaurs.”
Cassowaries are known as the “world’s most dangerous bird.” Unlike their emu cousins, which are a national symbol, cassowaries are rarely seen because they live deep in rainforests. They are now an endangered species.
Despite their fearsome reputation, cassowaries play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They eat dozens of fruits daily and spread seeds through their droppings, helping rainforests grow.
Male cassowaries take care of the young, unlike most birds. After the female lays eggs, she leaves, and the male incubates them. He then raises the chicks and protects them fiercely. Many human encounters with cassowaries happen because people get too close to their young.
A cassowary was spotted in Etty Bay, Queensland, on April 7, 2024. CNN
How to Stay Safe Around Cassowaries
A viral video last year showed a woman in Queensland trying to keep her McDonald's burger away from a hungry cassowary. This highlighted how bold these birds can be when they associate humans with food.
Peter Rowles, founder of the Community for Coastal & Cassowary Conservation (C4), says cassowaries are more at risk from humans than the other way around.
“If you see a cassowary, stay calm,” Rowles advises. “Put your hands behind your back, move behind a tree, and don’t attract attention.”
Running is a bad idea. Cassowaries can run as fast as humans, and they might chase. Also, never feed them. A 2001 study found that 75% of dangerous cassowary encounters happened after humans gave them food. This changes their behaviour, making them aggressive.
In Papua New Guinea, cassowaries are not protected and are sometimes hunted for food. The ones there are a smaller species.
Rowles also suggests avoiding black or dark blue cars in cassowary habitats. The birds sometimes mistake their reflection for a rival and attack. In Mission Beach, locals put up screens to block window reflections for the same reason.
C4 once had a life-sized cassowary statue outside their office. A female cassowary saw it and tried to “court” it. When the statue didn’t respond, she attacked it, leaving deep punctures in its fibreglass chest. The repaired statue now stays safely indoors.
