Birds have a wide range of leg and foot strength that allows them to perform various functions, from perching on branches to capturing prey. When looking at birds with powerful kicks, several key species stand out due to their large size and adaptations for kicking.
Ostriches
Ostriches are very large flightless birds that inhabit the open lands of Africa. They stand up to 9 feet tall and can weigh over 300 pounds. Ostriches have long, thick, and powerful legs with two toes on each foot. Their legs make up about a third of their total body mass.
Ostriches use their strong legs and feet in several ways. Most famously, they can deliver dangerous kicks as a defense against predators. Ostriches can kick with a force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch, which is enough to kill medium-sized predators like wild dogs, hyenas, or even lions. Their sharp claws can further slash attackers. Ostriches may aim kicks at the head, chest, or belly areas when threatened.
In addition to self-defense, ostriches use their legs for speed. Ostriches are the fastest running birds, capable of sprinting up to 43 miles per hour. Their strong legs help propel them across the landscape while evading threats. Long legs also allow ostriches to take huge 12 to 15 foot strides while running.
Powerful kicks help ostriches defend their eggs and young against attacks. The males incubate the eggs and raise baby ostriches called chicks. They will aggressively kick to drive away any perceived danger. For mating rituals, male ostriches kick each other while competing for female partners. Their legs and feet are vital tools for survival on the African plains.
Cassowaries
Cassowaries are large, flightless birds most closely related to emus that inhabit the dense forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. They stand up to 5.9 feet tall and weigh around 60 to 130 pounds. Cassowaries are powerful, agile runners with feet equipped with long, sharp claws.
Cassowaries’ sturdy legs and clawed feet allow them to deliver a serious kick as a defensive response. Each three-toed foot has a dagger-like inner claw that is around 4 to 5 inches long. Cassowaries kick out with these claws when confronted by predators or unfamiliar humans. The cassowary can slice open skin, damage organs, and even break bones with a single kick.
There are several reported cases of cassowaries fatally attacking humans, especially when defending their eggs and offspring. Cassowaries tend to aim their kicks high at the torso level, causing abdominal puncturing or chest trauma that can lead to death by hemorrhage or organ failure. The cassowary kick generates an instantaneous force of more than 1,000 pounds per square inch, demolishing predator attacks.
Cassowaries are notoriously territorial and can turn aggressive when they feel threatened. They will chase off anything encroaching on their space, lashing out fiercely with their feet. The cassowary’s powerful legs and sharp claws make it the most dangerous bird in Australia and New Guinea.
Secretary Birds
Secretary birds are large terrestrial raptors that hunt on foot across sub-Saharan Africa. They get their name from the crest of long quill feathers at the back of the head that resemble old secretaries writing with quill pens. Secretary birds grow around 4 feet tall and can weigh up to 9 pounds.
Secretary birds have long legs with thick scales that protect them from snake bites while walking through grasslands. To hunt, secretary birds will stomp powerfully on rodents, reptiles, and other small animals until they are stunned or killed. They then snatch up the prey in their beak.
The secretary bird’s kick is strong enough to crush a human skull. Researchers have measured secretary bird kicks at 15 pounds of force. This allows them to stomp their prey into submission. Secretary birds prefer to kick their targets on the neck or head to swiftly dispatch them.
Secretary birds create monogamous breeding pairs and work together to defend their large nests on the ground. They will aggressively kick, peck, and chase threats away from the nest. Their innate kicking strength helps secretary birds eliminate snakes and other dangerous predators around their vulnerable young.
Cranes
Cranes are a family of large waterbirds known for their elaborate courtship dances. There are 15 different crane species worldwide, ranging in size from 10 pounds to over 20 pounds with heights from 3 to 5 feet tall. Long legs and toes help them wade through marshes and wetlands.
Several crane species are territorial and use their feet defensively to protect breeding areas. The whooping crane, for example, will leap and kick powerfully with both feet when defending its ground against other cranes or perceived threats. They aim for the chest, wings, and head on opponents.
The Australian crane has spurs on its wings that can also deliver dangerous kicks. Pairs vigilantly guard territory and nests together. A kick from an Australian crane produces enough force to break bones. Other cranes like the sarus crane use kicks and jabs with their bills to drive off intruders near their nesting sites.
While not as lethal as ostriches or cassowaries, cranes can still inflict significant injuries when kicking as a territorial behavior. Their population decline makes whooping crane kicks rarer, but in the past they were considered one of the most aggressive North American birds.
Conclusion
When looking at the strongest kicks in the bird world, ostriches, cassowaries, secretary birds, and cranes stand out for their powerful legs adapted to kick with incredible force. Ostriches in particular can deliver devastating kicks that can be fatal even to large mammals like lions. Cassowaries wield dagger-like claws that can eviscerate opponents. Secretary birds stomp with enough strength to kill prey instantly.
Birds kick to defend themselves, their offspring, compete for mates, and hunt prey. Kicking ability has evolved differently depending on habitat and lifestyle. Competition and territorial behavior also play a role. Birds with the most potent kicks are often larger species living on the ground that have adapted the ability to keep threats at bay using their feet alone.
Bird | Height | Weight | Kick Force |
---|---|---|---|
Ostrich | 6 – 9 feet | 220 – 320 pounds | 2,000 psi |
Cassowary | 4 – 5.9 feet | 60 – 130 pounds | 1,000+ psi |
Secretary Bird | 3 – 4 feet | 5 – 9 pounds | 15 pounds force |
Whooping Crane | 4 – 5 feet | 10 – 20 pounds | Bone breaking |
Ostrich Kicks
Here is some more detail on ostrich kick force and how they use their legs in combat:
- Ostriches can kick forward and backward equally well, allowing them to lash out in any direction
- Their legs have hard scales that make their powerful kicks even more damaging
- Kicks are used to target either large predators like lions or smaller nuisances like baboons or hyenas
- The thick, muscular legs allow for high energy kicks launched with great torque
- Ostriches may kick repeatedly in rapid succession to fend off persistent attackers
- Kicks that land on the head are particularly lethal and can crush skulls and break necks
- Ostriches can still run at high speeds even with muscles weighted down from fighting
- Their kicks can readily shatter bones, rupture organs, and collapse windpipes
- Male ostriches use kicks when fighting over females or defending territory
The incredible kick strength of ostriches plays a key role in their survival as flightless birds against Africa’s formidable predators. They rely on powerful legs to overwhelm enemies of all sizes when threatened.
Cassowary Kicks
Here are some more details on how the cassowary uses its feet as weapons:
- Cassowaries have a large dagger-like claw on each foot around 5 inches long
- They can kick in any direction, most often striking upwards at the torso or neck
- The claw rakes across the target, shredding tissues and causing hemorrhage
- Kicks eviscerate internal organs including intestines, lungs, kidneys, and liver
- Cassowaries may jump and kick simultaneously, maximizing impact
- Their claws help them grip the ground for leverage, letting them achieve kick force over 1,000 psi
- Death from cassowary attacks usually results from bleed out or organ failure
- Humans are especially vulnerable to the cassowary kick due to their smaller size
- Cassowaries tirelessly kick when defending eggs and chicks against threats
The cassowary’s deadly clawed feet demonstrate how evolution shaped them into solitary forest-dwellers highly adept at fending off rivals and predators.
Secretary Bird Kicks
More details on how secretary birds kick with their hunting and defensive techniques:
- Secretary birds stomp on prey with focused precision, aiming for the head or neck
- They generate enormous downward kick force by hopping into the air before striking
- Kicks are often delivered from behind when targeting dangerous prey like snakes
- The secretary bird’s scaly legs protect against bites when stomping venomous snakes
- They will also kick at mammalian predators like jackals approaching their nest
- Pairs team up to stomp targets, with one bird distracting as the other attacks
- The secretary bird’s kick force is strong enough to crush rodent and bird skulls
- They use rapid kicks in succession until prey is immobilized
- Kicks break the necks and spines of larger prey like hares or young gazelles
The secretary bird’s stomping kick technique allows it to thrive feeding on small animals across African grasslands and savannas.
Crane Kicks
Here are some additional notes on kicks used by different crane species:
- Cranes often leap into the air to deliver more powerful kicks to intruders
- Downward kicking is also used to stomp terrestrial predators like foxes or raccoons
- The Australian crane can kick forward, sideways, and backwards with its wing spurs
- Whooping cranes kick with both legs simultaneously for maximum impact
- The sarus crane uses nimble footwork to kick rapidly from different angles
- Cranes aim for the head and eyes when kicking in territorial disputes
- Injuries to humans from large crane kicks include fractured skulls and ribs
- Mated crane pairs work cooperatively to attack intruders with kicks
- Even small cranes use kicks to drive away much larger mammal predators
Cranes are ingenious in adapting their kick techniques to match different habitats, opponents, and nesting behaviors across the world.
References
Berger, Cynthia. “Which Animals Have The Strongest Kicks?” Ranker. https://www.ranker.com/list/animals-that-can-kick-the-hardest/cynthia-berger.
Bradford, Alina. “Ostrich: Height, Weight, Diet & Other Facts.” Live Science. March 1, 2018. https://www.livescience.com/53401-ostriches.html.
Brands, Sheila. “10 Most Dangerous Bird Species in the World.” WorldAtlas. December 13, 2018. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-10-most-dangerous-birds-in-the-world.html.
Dean, Ellen. “How Dangerous Are Cassowary Attacks, Really?” Inside Science. April 15, 2019. https://www.insidescience.org/news/how-dangerous-are-cassowary-attacks-really.
Goedicke, Katrina. “Secretary Bird.” Encyclopedia Britannica. June 26, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/animal/secretary-bird.
Jarvis, Kimberly. “8 Birds with the Strongest Kicks.” Birds and Blooms. January 6, 2022. https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/bird-species/birds-with-strong-kicks/.
Mahoney, Laura. “Secretary Bird.” National Geographic. November 17, 2010. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/secretary-bird.
Conclusion
In summary, among birds, ostriches, cassowaries, secretary birds, and cranes are well-known for their particularly powerful kicks. Ostriches can kick with over 2,000 psi of force to fend off even apex predators. Cassowaries have dagger-like claws to slice open opponents. Secretary birds stomp prey into submission. Cranes will break bones with their forceful kicks during territorial disputes. These birds rely on incredibly strong legs adapted for kicking to survive attacks and compete for mates and territory. Their kicks play integral roles in self-defense, hunting, and nest protection behaviors thanks to specialized evolutionary adaptations. When judging sheer kick strength, the ostrich stands supreme with the cassowary and its claw a close second. These ancient birds show just how effective legs can be as natural weapons.