Birds kicking people is an unusual phenomenon. Most bird species do not intentionally attack or kick humans. However, there are a few birds that have been known to deliver swift kicks, especially when feeling threatened. Understanding what prompts these birds to kick can help people avoid conflict when encountering them in the wild.
The Cassowary
The cassowary is likely the most notorious kicker in the bird world. This large, flightless bird inhabits the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. With its three-toed feet equipped with long, dagger-like claws, a cassowary can slice open any predator or perceived threat with a single kick.
Cassowaries are solitary birds that prefer to avoid humans, but they will kick if they feel cornered or if their chicks are in danger. The cassowary kick delivers a massive amount of force, estimated at over 100 psi. This is more than enough to seriously injure or potentially kill a person if the claw connects in the wrong spot.
There have been several recorded cassowary attacks on humans over the years, including one in 2019 in Florida that resulted in the death of the bird’s owner when he fell and hit his head after being kicked. While not common, such attacks remind us that these powerful kickers demand respect in their habitat.
The Ostrich
The ostrich is the largest and most powerful living bird, so it comes as no surprise that it too can deliver dangerous kicks when provoked. Like the cassowary, the ostrich has a long, sharp claw on each foot that can be used as a weapon.
Ostriches use their kicks for self-defense, but they can also get aggressive during the breeding season when males are establishing territory and competing for mates. Cases of ostriches kicking humans usually occur when people encroach too closely on their territory or appear to pose a threat to their young.
Ostrich kicks can impart over 2,000 psi of force. Enough to collapse a human chest cavity or shatter bones if landed accurately. Records show they have killed people on rare occasions when the person was kicked in the neck or head with the bird’s large, clawed foot.
The Muscovy Duck
The Muscovy duck is an often overlooked kicker in the bird world. This large duck species is native to Mexico, Central and South America. However, feral populations are common in urban and suburban areas across North America, Europe, and Australia.
Muscovy ducks can become quite temperamental, especially during breeding season. The males can be particularly aggressive and are known to chase or attack humans that get too close to their territories or offspring. They will often give an open-mouthed hiss to warn intruders away, then follow up with a sharp kick or peck if the threat doesn’t retreat.
While Muscovy duck kicks are not as dangerous as those delivered by cassowaries or ostriches due to the duck’s smaller size, they can still leave bruises or even break the skin in some cases. Children are most at risk of being kicked if they approach the ducks too closely.
The Canada Goose
Canada geese are known for their territorial and aggressive nature during nesting season. They will notoriously stand their ground and confront anyone or anything that dares encroach on their territory. This includes unleashing their wings and beaks on trespassers.
Canada geese have strong legs and sharp claws that they will use to kick at predators or perceived threats around the nest. They are quite capable of delivering a bruising blow, even though their kicks are not as formidable as larger bird species.
There are many reports of Canada geese knocking people over or leaving bruises and scrapes from their territorial kicks, especially around parks and lakes where people get too close to goose nests. So it’s best not to underestimate a feisty goose’s willingness to kick you out of its territory!
The Mute Swan
Like Canada geese, mute swans are quite territorial and known to attack humans, especially around their nests. A mute swan’s wings can deliver a painful blow, but they are also capable of lashing out with their feet and kicking if they feel threatened.
Their kicks may not seem that forceful due to the swan’s graceful appearance, but they have enough power to bruise or potentially break bones in rare cases. There are reports of mute swans knocking children over with their kicks when defending nests from perceived threats.
Swans only attack when provoked, so giving them ample space is wise around breeding season. But incidents with territorial mute swans serve as reminders that their kicks can pack more of a punch than expected based on the swan’s elegant profile.
The Australian Magpie
One down under bird with an infamous kicking reputation is the Australian magpie. Every breeding season, Australian magpies aggressively swoop and attack humans who stray too close to their territory. But the magpie’s danger doesn’t end with its sharp beak – it will also kick viciously at the heads of intruders.
Magpies can deliver surprisingly forceful kicks with their feet and sharp claws. These kicks are mainly aimed at the eyes or back of the head as the birds swoop down on trespassers in their territory. A magpie kick can easily scratch the skin and draw blood.
There are many cases of Australians receiving cuts, bruises, and in severe cases, hospitalization from aggressive magpie kicking attacks each year. So helmets or other protective gear are a wise precaution when going near magpie nests during breeding season.
The European Herring Gull
Like magpies, European herring gulls are extremely territorial and prone to attacking humans during nesting season. They share the infamous trait of diving and pecking at intruders’ heads. However, herring gulls also mix in kicks to their attacks.
A European herring gull can deliver a swift kick reinforced by its sharp claws and webbed feet. This is mainly used to supplement its pecking attacks when trying to drive away a perceived threat near its nest. Herring gull kicks can scratch or even slice the skin open in some cases.
There are many reports of herring gull kicks drawing blood when people get too close to a nest. In coastal cities, encounters with territorial herring gulls are common, so pedestrians should keep alert for swooping gulls and their kicking feet during nesting season.
The White Stork
In Europe, white storks are a beloved sight in the spring as they return to build nests on roofs and towers. However, the stork can deliver a nasty kick when disturbed at the nest. They have relatively long, sharp claws and powerful legs for kicking.
Most stork attacks result from a stray cat or bird of prey getting too close to the nest. But there have been several reported cases of storks kicking at children or adult humans who climbed up to inspect their nests, resulting in cuts or bruises.
While storks are not aggressive by nature, it’s best to give them space and not make any attempts to interfere with the nest to avoid being on the receiving end of their defensive kicks.
Conclusion
In summary, most birds do not make a habit of kicking humans without provocation. However, there are a number of bird species spanning several continents that are known for delivering powerful kicks when they feel their territory or offspring are under threat. Cassowaries, ostriches, geese, ducks, swans, magpies, gulls, and storks have all made headlines for injurious kicks on people who accidentally got too close to nests.
Kicks from small birds like magpies or ducks mainly result in bruises or scratches. But larger birds can impart hundreds or even thousands of pounds of kick force capable of cracking bones or collapsing internal organs with their thick, clawed feet. So respecting the space of even small birds during breeding season is wise to avoid learning about their kicking capabilities firsthand.
Learning to identify territorial bird behaviors and give them ample room, especially around nests, is the best way to appreciate them from a safe distance rather than becoming a kicking target. And if a bird does start swooping or hissing nearby, getting out of its territory promptly can help avoid finding out just how hard some feathery creatures can kick on their home turf!
Frequently Asked Questions About Birds That Kick
Why do some birds kick at humans?
Birds that kick at humans usually do so to defend territory or offspring. They will kick to drive away any potential predators or other intruders that threaten their nesting areas. This is an instinctive behavior, especially prevalent during breeding season, designed to protect the bird’s young. Some birds like swans or geese for example are very territorial even outside of breeding season and will use kicking as a defensive mechanism whenever they feel their space is being encroached.
Which bird has the most powerful kick?
The cassowary and ostrich both possess the most powerful kicks in the avian world. Cassowaries can kick with a force of over 100 psi while ostriches can kick with a force of 2,000 psi or more. This makes both species capable of severely injuring or even killing a human with a well-placed kick. They use this incredible force mainly for self-defense.
Are bird kicks dangerous to humans?
Bird kicks can certainly be dangerous to humans in some cases. Larger, powerful birds like cassowaries, ostriches, or swans are capable of breaking bones, collapsing lungs or inflicting other traumatic injuries if their kicks land accurately. Even smaller birds like ducks or magpies can open up cuts or leave nasty bruises with their kicks. And if a bird manages to scratch the eyes or kick the head with its sharp claws, severe injuries could occur. So bird kicks deserve a healthy dose of caution and respect.
How can you avoid being kicked by birds?
The best way to avoid being kicked by birds is to steer clear of any identified nesting areas or birds displaying territorial behavior like hissing or pecking. Never attempt to touch or interfere with a bird’s eggs or young. And if a bird is acting aggressive, leave the area as soon as possible. Moving slow and not making direct eye contact can also help avoid stimulating a defensive kick when exiting a bird’s territory. Being aware of your surroundings and respecting birds’ space is key to avoiding surprise kicks.
Do bird kicks ever result in fatalities?
Bird kicks very rarely result in human fatalities. But there have been a few documented cases over the years of ostriches and cassowaries killing people with kicks when they happened to strike vulnerable areas like the throat or head with their large, clawed feet. Several deaths have also resulted from people falling and hitting their heads after being knocked down by a powerful kick. So while not a common cause of death, the potent kicking ability of some birds does pose a small mortality risk.
5 Notorious Birds Known for Kicking Humans
Bird | Location | Kick Force | Injuries Caused |
---|---|---|---|
Cassowary | Australia, New Guinea | 100+ psi | Slashing wounds, broken bones, death |
Ostrich | Africa | 2,000+ psi | Broken bones, collapsed organs, death |
Canada Goose | North America, Europe | Unknown, less than cassowary/ostrich | Bruises, scrapes, broken bones in rare cases |
Australian Magpie | Australia | Unknown, less than cassowary/ostrich | Scratches, eye injuries, concussions |
Muscovy Duck | Central/South America, North America, Europe | Unknown, less than cassowary/ostrich | Bruises, scratches |
Key Tips to Avoid Being Kicked
- Never approach a nesting area or birds with chicks
- Leave immediately if a bird acts territorial with hissing, pecking, etc.
- Avoid making direct eye contact, which can be seen as challenging behavior
- Back away slowly if you encounter an angry bird, don’t turn your back or run
- Protect your head and eyes when swooped by magpies or gulls
- Understand a bird’s kicks are just defensive instinct, not malicious behavior
With caution and common sense, observing magnificent birds like cassowaries and emus can still be enjoyed safely even though they possess formidable kicking abilities. Their kicks are not intended to harm without reason. But provoking threatened birds can have regrettable consequences. Applying some simple precautions makes it easy to appreciate these amazing creatures from a polite distance and avoid any brushes with their powerful legs.