Birds have always been fascinating creatures, soaring high in the sky and going wherever they please. They possess uniquely built skills and dangerous traits that can be hard to believe, especially when they look as graceful as some incredible species. In this article, we’ll show you some birds that are big enough to attack toddlers and even the majestic but deadly kings of the sky that are lethal for their own kind. Keep your eyes peeled because we have some species of birds that you definitely want to avoid from here on out.
One of the most dangerous birds out there is the African Crown Eagle. While bird fatalities are rare and the majority of dangerous birds rarely approach humans, much less attack them unless first provoked, the African Crown Eagle is the only known man-eating bird out there. Their claws are viciously designed like meat hooks before lurching back into the sky. They can pick up prey as large as monkeys and potentially even humans. Remains found in 1924 showed the skull of a primitive child with talon markings consistent with the patterns left by the Crown Eagle. Even today, stories persist of this bold, relentless predator and how they hunt children for food. Over the years, they’ve become a regular presence throughout South African cities. While they’re not more likely to attack humans over other smaller prey, they’re known to snatch larger meals like an antelope, whose skull can be capably crushed with such powerful claws.
Great Horned Owls are another bird to be wary of. Owls have been known to attack people regularly, especially as territorial animals. In particular, Great Horned Owls are known for being dangerous to unsuspecting joggers and hikers. These strictly solitary birds live in North and South America and are practically fearless. They attack prey larger and heavier than themselves, including cats, skunks, and porcupines. When a nesting area is disturbed, they’re even known to attack larger predators like dogs or humans. They’re the only bird of prey known to have killed a human to date.
The European Herring Gull is another bird that’s notorious for stealing food and attacking humans alike. What makes them extra dangerous is their ability to shoot in teams. If one Herring Gull is alone and provoked, it would immediately call for help from other adult birds, resulting in a group attack. They’re powerful things that come in small packages, impressing as a large gull found across western Europe.
As America’s national bird, the Bald Eagle gets plenty of attention. They can’t lift like others on the list today, but their strength comes from powerful talons and massive wings. An eagle has about 10 times the gripping power in its large claws than a human hand would. In fact, they can exert upwards of 400 pounds per square inch. Their impressive wings allow eagles to fly higher in the sky than most birds. They’ve been the national emblem of the United States since 1782, meaning they’re one of the more iconic, recognizable birds out there.
We can’t forget the California Condor on today’s list. While there aren’t too many of them now, the unique California Condor is one of the largest birds in the world and is also the largest flying bird in the Americas. They have wings that spread up to nine and a half feet tip to tip and soar at speeds up to 50 miles per hour at dizzying heights of 15,000 feet. Their only real threat is human activity, as these creatures are as powerful as they are intelligent. They actually live up to 80 years old, though they typically live to about 60.
