Top 10 Most Dangerous Birds in the World

Though admired for their beauty and peacefulness, birds, at times, can be really nasty and dangerous creatures. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most dangerous birds in the world.

Quick Fact

Blue-capped Ifrita, a small insectivores bird endemic to Papua New Guinea, sequesters a toxic substance in its skin and feathers. Handling the bird with bare hands can result in numbness and tingling sensation.

Often associated with peace and calmness, birds are generally considered as a harmless and non-aggressive species. Watching small, cute birds fluttering in the backyard each day can be a pleasant sight, and listening to their sweet, melodious songs is pretty enchanting. Generally, the thought that these feathered beings can be dangerous, aggressive, and hostile does not even cross our minds.

Notably enough, there are about 10,000 recognized living species of birds in the world, and each of them possesses a unique characteristic. While most of them can fly, there are also quite a few flightless birds. And, there are also a good number of bird species, which are known to be extremely aggressive. While almost all predatory birds fall under this category, there are also a few non-predatory birds that are known for their aggressive and ferocious behavior. Here’s our list of the top 10 most dangerous birds in the world.

10. Seagull

No matter how beautiful and calm they may seem, as they fly over the waters in search of their prey, seagulls can be extremely terrifying and vicious. Seagulls are said to attack if one gets too close to their nests. However, there have been reports from many parts of the world, of seagulls diving down, attacking people and snatching their eatables.

In 2006, a British woman in England was attacked by a seagull. She was treated by paramedics in the ambulance and then hospitalized. The seagull swooped down and stabbed her head many times. The wounds were as deep as the length of the bird’s beak.

9. Hawk

These birds of prey possess amazingly sharp eyesight and are among the most intelligent species of animals. They track their prey while in flight, and swoop down speedily to catch it. It is generally said that hawks attack humans only if the areas near their nests are frequented by humans and the birds perceive them as a threat. In such cases, the hawks injure humans with their huge talons or claws.

A 2010 Huffington Post report from Connecticut that many people were attacked by a hawk, when they unknowingly visited a place near its nest. Many people received head injuries when they were attacked by the bird.

8. Falcon

Falcon has a much sharper beak than a hawk. Falcons have territorial instincts and tend to attack humans and others if they find their dwellings in danger. With their hooky beaks, they can rip the flesh apart, but can also cut through the spinal cord of their victim. So, if a human is attacked by a falcon, serious injury could occur.

Reports say an aggressive falcon attacked a number of people who were hospitalized due to severe injuries. A dog was also left with bleeding ears and paws.

7. Owl

Owls are generally aloof and nocturnal birds of prey apart from a few. They feed mainly on insects, small birds, mammals, fish. Like hawks and falcons, owls also attack only if they perceive any threat to their territory.

In 2013, an incident that happened in the Scottish highlands. An owl attacked a 58-year-old man, severely injured him in the back of his head with its immensely sharp claws and beak. He suffered a deep wound and had to be hospitalized immediately.

6. Eagle

Eagle is a large and powerful with a head and beak, and a sharp vision. Eagles are generally not prone to attack humans. They attack and kill animals like dogs, bear cubs, and mountain goats. Like other birds of prey, eagles tend to get hostile if their nests or young ones are threatened. Though the reports of people being attacked by eagles are few, they have been numerous instances wherein small babies have been either attacked or snatched by them.

In 1991, The Seattle Times reported an incident in Alaska, where an amateur photographer was attacked by an eagle, along with its mate, followed and injured him with its sharp talons before he took to the ground.

5. Vulture

Vultures are huge birds of prey that scavenge on carcasses of dead animals. They have sharp claws and hooky beaks which tear through flesh. They, don’t attack living animals or humans. Apart from a few cases.

In 2008, two ladies were attacked by a vulture in a park in Spain, according to a report. The bird suddenly dived down from where the women were, tapping them off instantly. Both women were injured and had severe punctures on their heads and shoulders.

4. Rhea

These 4-5-feet tall birds resemble an ostrich, weigh about 60-90 lbs with strong feet and legs. Rheas may seem pretty calm, however, they can attack humans if they go near them.

In 2006, a Rhea escaped from a farm in England and was on the run for some time. So safety society warned not to go near the bird if they see them on the street. According to an officer of RSPCA, the birds are unbelievably strong and as their claws are as long as six inches, just a blow or kick from a Rhea can prove fatal.

3. Swan

Swans may seem serene and peaceful, but are actually aggressive in nature. If a human or an animal happens to come near their nest, these birds make a sharp, hissing sound and then, charge at their opponent with immense force. Their wings are strong and muscular, and are capable of inflicting injuries like bruises, eye injuries and even bone fractures.

In 2012, a businessman drowned in a pond located in the vicinity of Chicago, after a swan attacked and knocked off his boat in the water.

2. Ostrich

The tallest and the biggest bird on earth may seem pretty friendly when seen on television or from a distance, but ostriches can be very unpredictable and are capable of seriously injuring humans. They are huge and heavy, and can run at a speed of about 43 mph. They have strong legs and can easily kick an animal to death. They have only one claw per feet, but it is so strong and sharp that it can break the human spine or kill him/her.

In February 2000, The Washington Post reported an ostrich attack in Spearsville, LA. An ostrich attacked and killed an 90-year-old farmer and seriously injured his 86-year-old wife when they entered the bird’s pen. The ‘killer’ ostrich was later, shot dead by the police.

1. Cassowary

Cassowaries are huge and ferocious flightless birds with black plumage and spongy crests, called casques, on their heads. These birds are around six feet tall and weigh around 130 lbs. The legs of a cassowary are very strong and bears three claws on each leg. This bird was declared as the most dangerous bird in the world by the Guinness Book of Records in 2007. However, they do not attack unless provoked, and are very territorial.

In 2012, the Courier Mail  reported about Dennis Ward, who was attacked by an angry cassowary at Babinda Boulders near Cairns in Australia. He fell off a cliff and into the water after being kicked in the back by the bird. Though he survived the fall, he was seriously injured by the bird’s claw.

Birds, irrespective of how friendly and calm they might look, can display some extremely dangerous traits when provoked. And sometimes, their attacks can even prove fatal. So, keeping away from them is way better than being deceived by their beauty and serenity.