Double-Wattled Cassowary, the World’s Most Dangerous Bird

by Lucas (Dagim) Abiy, age 8

Have you heard of the Double-Wattled Cassowary? It is considered to be the most dangerous bird alive. The Cassowary lives in forests of Queensland, Australia, the lower land of New Guinea, as well as the Islands of Seram and Aru.

The Double Wattled Cassowary is named after the two loose folds of naked skin on its neck, called wattles. The colors can be red, purple, yellow, blue, and white. Tough feathers provide dry skin in the high humidity of the rainforests and protect it from twigs, thorns, and tangled undergrowth. The function of the Double Wattled Cassowary's horn-like casque is uncertain. It grows bigger as the double-wattled cassowary gets older, so it can be seen as a symbol of power, age, and influence over others. An average cassowary can weigh up to 58 kg (127.9 lb).

The Double-wattled Cassowary eats mainly fallen fruit, and sometimes plucks

it off shrubs. They also eat fungi, insects, and snails. This bird also mates multiple times, leaving partners to attend to their young.

When in danger, it raises its body and charges towards its enemy while flailing its muscular legs and lashing out its ten-centimeter (3.9-inch) long claws. Inflicting fatal wounds, a single kick can kill an average dog-sized animal. The double-wattled cassowaries are very dangerous. When people come in contact with them, they should be careful. Currently, these birds are at risk of endangerment as their population continues to decrease every year.

[Source: The Encyclopedia of Animals]