- Who
- Casuariidae, Casuariidae
- What
- ranked #1
- Where
- Australia ()
The most dangerous of all birds are all three species of cassowary (family Casuariidae) which live in New Guinea and north-eastern Queensland, Australia, They are large birds (up to 2 m (6 ft 6 in) tall) and on each foot they have 3 forward pointing toes with strong claws to provide grip while running, the inner toe having a 12 cm (5 in) long spike for defensive purposes when it kicks out when cornered. A cornered or wounded bird can be extremely dangerous and will leap into the air and kick, damaging vital organs or causing massive bleeding. Its kick is powerful enough to rip open a person's stomach or even kill a person.
