# Are Southern Cassowaries Dangerous?

> Are southern cassowaries dangerous? Realistic risk, when incidents rise, and safety basics.

- **Species:** Southern Cassowary (*Casuarius casuarius*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Frugivore — rainforest fruit and fungi
- **Habitat:** Tropical rainforest of Queensland and New Guinea
- **Lifespan:** 30–40 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Up to 50 km/h (31 mph) through dense forest
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cassowary/are-cassowary-dangerous/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cassowary/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The southern cassowary is a large, flightless rainforest bird of Queensland and New Guinea, often called the world's most dangerous bird. It stands up to 1.8 m (6 ft) tall, weighs 40 to 60 kg (88 to 132 lb) and carries a dagger-like claw on each foot. It feeds mainly on fallen fruit and can sprint through dense forest at up to 50 km/h (31 mph). Though listed as Least Concern globally, its Australian population is under pressure, and wild birds live 30 to 40 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need the full biology — use the [Southern Cassowary profile](https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cassowary/) instead.

## A powerful and dangerous bird

The southern cassowary has earned a reputation as the most dangerous bird in the world, thanks to the long, dagger-like inner claw on each of its powerful feet. When cornered or defending chicks, it can deliver a forward kick strong enough to cause serious injury. Most attacks, however, involve birds that have been fed by people and have lost their natural wariness. Left alone in the forest, cassowaries are shy and prefer to avoid humans altogether.

## Help protect the Southern Cassowary

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cassowary/are-cassowary-dangerous/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.