Birds are some of the most revered creatures in the animal kingdom.
They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and as such, the birds have been immortalized in almost everything from company logos to government and political party emblems, fashion items and accessories, kitchenware, and a host of other items .
The most remarkable, of course, is the dove, which is considered a symbol of peace, so elusive and fragile...
Some representatives of birds have become faithful companions of people, their pets, while other species of birds are so scary and dangerous that it is better not to touch them or disturb them in the wild.
Below you will find the top ten most dangerous birds that are best avoided.
Red-tailed Hawk
Hawks are some of the most colorful and intelligent birds.
They are fiercely protective of their nests and usually see humans as a threat, especially if the red-tailed hawk's nest is in an area they frequent.
During flight, thanks to the built-in "GPS navigator", the red-tailed hawk tracks its prey and grabs it, quickly and swiftly diving down.
With its massive talons and claws, the red-tailed hawk brings down its prey to death.
Falcon
Although falconry was a favorite pastime in the Arabian Peninsula, falcons can be dangerous.
They are territorial birds that will not hesitate to defend or attack if threatened.
Therefore, you should not approach a falcon's nest. They have incredibly sharp claws and a hooked beak. Such "weapons" are capable of tearing flesh and severing the spinal cord of the victim.
Snowy Owl
The northernmost bird of prey in the world is the snowy owl. It is a very intelligent bird and uses a strategic approach when attacking.
If a snowy owl's target is a human, it will first attack the head and then use its razor-sharp talons to attack the person's face.
As a result, the owl can rip out your eyes. This beautiful but dangerous bird nests beyond the Arctic Circle, in the tundra region.
The snowy owl is well adapted to survive in the lowest temperatures: it can withstand frosts down to -50°C.
Bearded Man
The bearded vulture, or lammergeier, is a bird of prey from the hawk family. This fierce bird simply loves to feast on bone marrow.
Typically, after other predators tear apart the carcass of their prey and eat it, only the skeleton remains.
The bearded men grab the bones left over from such a feast and “shoot” them into the air so that when they fall on rocks or cliffs, they shatter and open up access to the bone marrow.
Lambsheads pose a threat to humans when in close proximity.
Barred Owl
The Barred Owl is a relatively small bird of prey compared to the other birds on our list.
It weighs about 1.1-1.4 kg, so it specializes in catching smaller creatures. It is found in swampy forests in the southern United States.
The barred owl has special feathers that act as a kind of muffler: victims simply cannot hear them approaching.
The bird dives on its prey and attacks its head with its razor-sharp talons. It scratches, pecks and squeezes the target, causing serious head injuries.
The Barred Owl commonly attacks travelers in the Pacific Northwest.
Mute Swan
Everyone (well, almost everyone) loves swans. Especially when one "kisses" the other and the couple forms a beautiful heart-shaped image.
It is a delightful sight. But, alas, the mute swan is a very territorial bird and can attack even in crowded areas such as lakes or ponds in a park.
When threatened, a swan can attack a person in the eyes and even break bones with its strong muscular wings.
Mute swans are native to Eurasia. However, they can also be seen in many parts of the world, including North America.
White-billed Loon
A potentially dangerous bird found in lakes, boreal forests, and temperate woodlands. They can also be seen in the Arctic tundra of northern Eurasia and North America.
Weighing between 8.5 and 12 pounds (3.6 and 5.4 kg), the white-billed loon has a razor-sharp beak that it uses to harpoon fish.
Unfortunately, loons don't just attack fish. It was reported that one bird mistakenly killed an ornithologist, mistaking him for a predator.
Herring Gull
This bird with angelic wings has a far from angelic disposition.
They pose a serious threat to humans because they often nest in residential areas.
Herring gulls attack people when they try to get food in public places. With their razor-sharp beaks, they can cause serious injury.
African ostrich
It is the largest flightless bird in the world and the only remaining and surviving species of ostrich after the Arabian (Syrian) ostrich went extinct.
This bird looks funny, but it is extremely dangerous. The African ostrich reaches two meters in height and weighs more than one hundred kilograms.
It may not fly, but this bird runs magnificently: its speed reaches 70 km/h. Ostriches attack people when they see a threat to their chicks or nest.
The African ostrich can kill its target in seconds.
Southern Cassowary
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the beautiful-looking southern cassowary (common cassowary) holds the title of the most dangerous bird on the planet.
This colourful bird with black feathers and blue spots on its skin lives in the tropical forests of north-western Australia and New Guinea.
The southern cassowary is a territorial bird; therefore, it fiercely defends its territory.
This bird, weighing almost 60 kg and standing about 1.8 m tall, is also armed with very sharp spurs located on its legs.
In addition, the helmeted cassowary boasts a lethal strike that can knock down almost anyone.
