The world's most feared bird: the cassowary

The world's third-largest bird, the cassowary, is found in New Guinea and Australia. This ostrich-like bird is known for its lethal attacks on humans and other animals. The cassowary is about six feet high. It has black feathers on its body and brown feathers on its neck. It can run at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour and jump six feet high. Like ostriches and penguins, it cannot fly. The cassowary has a red bouquet on top.

Cassowary's legs are strong. The foot has three toes. The middle finger has long sharp claws. It can swim in water. There are three types of cassowary.

Cassowary is a vegetarian food but it attacks in fear as it approaches man or other animal. His powerful kick knocks out even a dog-like animal. During the attack, he uses sharp nails like a knife to cut the prey. A number of people have been reported killed in the Cassowary attack in Australia. Foreign troops arriving in Australia during World War II were warned to stay away from Cassowary. The female cassowary lays 15 cm long green eggs. It makes a nest of soil and leaves on the ground.