A Biologist Spotlights The World's Most Aggressive Bird. Hint: It's Flightless, It's Not The Ostrich, And It's Been Known To Kill People
When we think of flightless birds, aggressive is probably not the word that comes to mind.
We might think of a peacock calmly roaming the perimeter of a zoo (peacocks, however, aren't true flightless birds – they are capable of flying for short distances). We might think of the unfortunate dodo of Mauritius. This was a bird so docile and unafraid of environmental threats it was hunted out of existence in less than 100 years.
Or, we might think of the ostrich. The ostrich, the world's biggest flightless bird, does pose some threat to humans. There are documented cases of people being kicked by the ostrich's powerful legs, resulting in serious injuries.
But the bird we really need to be careful around – assuming you live in northern Australia or the New Guinea region – is the cassowary. Here's its story and why it can be so dangerous to humans.
A southern cassowary strides through the dense rainforest of Queensland, Australia.
The cassowary is a bird that looks like it stepped out of the Cretaceous period. Standing up to six feet tall and weighing as much as 130 pounds, it is undoubtedly an imposing figure.
Its glossy black feathers resemble a coarse cloak. On top of its head rests a helmet-like casque – a keratin structure whose exact function remains debated. Some biologists suggest it helps with navigating dense forest or amplifies the cassowary's deep, rumbling calls.
Cassowaries are notoriously territorial, especially the females, who are larger and more aggressive than the males. They defend their domain fiercely and are not afraid to charge when they feel threatened.
The real danger lies in their legs. Each foot has three toes, the inner one armed with a dagger-like claw up to five inches long. These claws aren't just for show, they are powerful weapons, capable of inflicting deep gashes or even fatal injuries.
There are numerous documented cases of cassowaries attacking humans. The most infamous incident occurred in 1926, when a 16-year-old boy was reportedly killed by a cassowary after attempting to club it.
While fatal encounters are exceedingly rare, serious injuries are not. In Australia, wildlife officers have had to develop protocols for safely managing these birds, particularly in areas where humans and cassowaries frequently cross paths.
(Sidebar: While few birds rival the cassowary's power on land, one rules the skies. Meet the world's strongest flying bird – it can, and does, attack humans too.)
It's not just aggression that makes cassowaries stand out. It also their speed and agility. These birds can sprint up to 30 miles per hour and leap five feet into the air. They can swim well too, making them even more formidable in their dense rainforest habitat.
Cassowaries are highly territorial birds and will fiercely defend their range from intruders.
Why are they so aggressive? One theory points to their solitary nature and high parental investment. Female cassowaries lay eggs, but it's the male who incubates them and raises the chicks alone. This solitary, protective behavior can translate into aggression when the bird feels cornered or surprised. In areas where cassowaries come into contact with humans – like trails, suburban edges or tourist sites – conflict can escalate quickly.
Conservationists stress that cassowaries are not villains. Their aggression is a natural defense mechanism. Furthermore, these birds play a critical role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds of the plants they consume. Without cassowaries, some plant species might struggle to survive.
Respect, not fear, is the key. Keeping a safe distance and avoiding feeding or provoking them helps ensure peaceful coexistence.
Are you an animal lover who owns a pet? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Washington Post
Where will the next big hurricane hit? Ask the sharks.
In the so-bad-it's-good TV movie 'Sharknado,' heroes armed with bombs and chain saws battle sharks tossed inland by a hurricane. In reality, biologists have found a way for sharks to help anticipate the next big storm. Researchers are enlisting sharks as mobile marine monitors, attaching sensors to their dorsal fins. The hope is that as the sharks swim through the ocean, they will collect temperature readings and other information that can be used to predict the power and trajectory of Atlantic hurricanes.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Cannabis And Psychedelics Seen As Effective For Eating Disorders, Study Finds
Anorexia Nervosa - Common Medical Marijuana Conditions for Qualifying Patients - use of the whole, ... More unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions. A new study has found that cannabis and psychedelics are perceived to be the most effective drugs that help alleviate eating disorder symptoms. A group of researchers from the University of Sydney has conducted a survey on over 6,000 people suffering from eight eating disorders, such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge-eating disorder, and found that most of them rely on cannabis and psychedelics to help alleviate their symptoms. Published on JAMA Network Open-Psychiatry this week, the study tried to understand which prescription and nonprescription drugs are used by people with eating disorders, and how they are associated with symptoms. To do so, participants, diagnosed with eating disorders and mainly from English-speaking countries, completed an online survey on recent prescribed and nonprescribed drug use, as well as perceived benefits and harms. Initially, 7,648 respondents were recruited; 6,612 completed demographics, and 5,123 finished the survey. The findings of the survey showed that overall, the best-rated drugs for eating disorder symptoms among respondents were psilocybin, cannabis, and lysergic acid diethylamide. For example, for respondents with anorexia, cannabis received the highest rating. When asked to identify their drug of choice for self-medicating eating disorder symptoms, the most popular drug among respondents was cannabis, but when normalized by number of users, fluoxetine, an antidepressant, ranked highest. Among 6,136 respondents, prescription psychotropics were rated highest for mental health. Psilocybin, LSD, and cannabis also received strong ratings. 'A striking outcome was the favorable self-reported ratings of psychedelics and cannabis for alleviating ED symptoms, eclipsing the ratings of commonly prescribed psychotropics,' the study reads. Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Eating Disorder Symptoms? The study also highlighted that daily cannabis users reported perceived benefits for their eating disorder symptoms. Researchers said that 'there is scant research around the use of cannabinoids in individuals with eating disorders apart from small trials supporting the efficacy of dronabinol, which is synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol, in those with anorexia nervosa.' They also added that cannabis may benefit people with restrictive and food-aversive eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, 'by increasing the hedonic value of food.' This is in line with previous studies on the effects of cannabis on appetite. A study published last year showed that mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), a region in the brain that regulates various physiological processes, controls increased appetite following cannabis use. In contrast, cannabis received poor ratings from people with bulimia and binge-eating disorder, likely because its appetite-stimulating effects can trigger or worsen binge-and-purge behaviors, thereby intensifying the symptoms of the eating disorder. Psilocybin and LSD were consistently rated highly across all diagnostic groups for their ability to improve eating disorder symptoms, enhance overall mental health, and be well tolerated. However, the study has several limitations. The survey primarily included participants from high-income, English-speaking countries with internet access. It may have also attracted people with eating disorders who are more inclined toward new ways to treat their eating disorder symptoms or have positive attitudes or prior positive experiences with drugs. Furthermore, diagnoses were based on self-report rather than formal clinical assessment, and comorbid conditions were not evaluated. Additionally, recall bias may have influenced participants' reports of drug use and symptoms. Therefore, because some findings are based on small sample sizes within specific diagnostic related to eating disorders and drug-use groups, the researchers highlighted that this study's results 'should be interpreted as exploratory rather than definitive.'
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Washington Post
I'm a microplastics researcher. Here's how I limit the plastic in my life.
Microplastics are really small pieces of plastic — less than five millimeters long on one side or about the size of a pencil eraser. That means some of them are visible to the naked eye, but others are so tiny that you can't even see them — smaller than the width of your hair or even a red blood cell. We're exposed to these plastics in countless ways, whether it's the worn car tires that release them into the air or the plastic-lined cans that get them into our food. Scientists have found microplastics in our livers, blood, brains and even placentas. And while more science is needed to fully understand how this impacts our health, there's enough evidence for us to be concerned. A systematic review I conducted with my colleagues in 2024 showed that microplastics are suspected to negatively impact reproductive health, primarily sperm quality, as well as digestive and respiratory health. The evidence suggests microplastics are potential causes of chronic inflammation, which could increase the risk of colon and lung cancer. Other studies have shown a link between microplastics and dementia as well as cardiovascular disease. But there are also effective ways to reduce our exposure through lifestyle changes. The key is to make these slowly over time, and be realistic about your budget and routines. There's no need to throw out all your plastic food-storage containers overnight. Overall, it's about reducing plastic use, particularly single-use plastics. Here's what I've done to limit the microplastics in my life. I know this is hard, but probably the most important thing you can do to reduce your exposure to microplastics is to eat food that you prepare inside your house, made from scratch. Plastic-related chemicals are more commonly found in ultra-processed and fast foods, rather than foods cooked at home, and it's not necessarily clear why. I suspect it may have something to do with all the plastic packaging and the plastic used in the processing. So I try to avoid packaged foods whenever possible. When I travel, I pack my own lunch. Usually, I bring an apple and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I buy peanut butter that comes in a glass container, which I reuse for food storage and as drinking water glasses. I bring my own bags to the farmers market. Of course, it's not always possible to avoid plastics touching your food. I haven't figured out a good way to store lettuce that isn't in a plastic bag, so I'm looking for new ways to do that. I still buy rice that comes in a plastic bag. It's possible to buy grains, beans and nuts in bulk — and bring your own containers to the store — but it can be logistically challenging. Especially if you have little kids. I mostly use glass food-storage containers. Have I thrown all my plastic out? No, I have not. But I never use them in the microwave. Research has found that microwaving food in plastic containers can release millions of microplastics into that food. Single-use plastic water bottles can also leech plastics into your water, so I have a stainless steel water bottle that I carry around everywhere. I also avoid nonstick pans and pots, since these can be made with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — or 'forever chemicals,' as they're often known. Instead, I use a clay rice cooker, stainless steel pots and pans, and a cast-iron skillet that was my grandmother's. It still works great, and I can fry an egg in it without a problem. I use wooden and stainless steel cooking utensils — and avoid black plastics. I eat lower on the food chain, sticking to fruits and vegetables. There is still a lot to learn here, but we know that chemicals are more prevalent in larger animals. So I avoid red meat and ruminant animals such as goat and lamb. I also focus on eating whole grains and beans. And this is consistent with other dietary food guidelines. I do eat some fish. I recommend eating smaller fish in general, since larger fish, such as tuna and swordfish, have a longer lifespan and can accumulate pollutants like mercury. We still don't know the full extent of the microplastics in these animals. But we do know that eating lower down on the food chain is probably a good way to ensure your exposure is lower. Microplastics love to hang out in dust. One efficient way to decrease the amount in your home is to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air — meaning these vacuums are effective at removing very tiny particles around your house, including microplastics. I also suggest using a wet mop or microfiber cloth to clean up around the house, which won't stir up dust. My husband does this once a week at our house. Some abrasive cleaning products, such as the kinds that have little particles to help you scrub, may have microplastics. The same goes for personal care products, such as exfoliants. I avoid these as well as any products with fragrances, since some companies place fragrances within tiny microplastic capsules so the scent will last longer. The idea of avoiding microplastics can seem overwhelming — even to me, a person who has dedicated their life to studying environmental contaminants — but a few small steps can make a difference to reduce your exposure and improve your overall health. And it's important to remember: It's not your fault. The bottom line is that it's hard for an individual to control the production of plastic, and we need systemic changes to lower our exposures. Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, is a professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California at San Francisco, whose research focuses on environmental contaminants and their effect on vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and children.
