Top 5 Most Aggressive & Deadliest Birds on the Planet Earth

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When we think of birds, we think of small song birds that couldn't hurt a fly. When we think of aggressive birds we think of mockingbirds chasing away cats.

Birds come in a variety of sizes from the smallest - the Hummingbird - to the largest - the Ostrich.

The birds on this list are aggressive and dangerous for one reason, guarding their nests. All they want to do is drive you away so they can raise their young. You can understand that. You'd do the same thing if there was a trespasser on your property.

For some birds it take a lot of effort and time to raise their chicks. This is why some birds just swoop down and harass until you are driven off.

But deadly? Yes, some are. Some have killed people.

So come with me, don't forget your binoculars and your bird watching equipment.

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Gulls sing the song of the seas on the pounding surf. These birds are intelligent, cunning and ever watchful for a meal.

They don't become aggressive toward people until a male wants to impress his lady friend. After the mating season has passed, and they start making a home, they can become very aggressive in their efforts to drive people away from their nest.

Eagles, hawks and falcons are in the family known as Raptors. They have sharp eye-sight, curved beaks and razor-like talons. They eat fish, rats, rabbits and other small prey. When they mate, they mate for life. Both the males and females defend their territory.

Red Tail Hawks are beautiful birds of prey that soar in the sapphire sky. They return to the same nest every year to raise their young. The mother, who is larger than her mate lays on the eggs as he hunts for her and the chicks.

They are aggressive in chasing away anything they perceive as a threat to their young, even if you are having a picnic. They just want to run you off not kill you.

Once you have been driven off, they can resume their lives of hunting and feeding their young.

Swans gliding on the reflective surface of the water, look like a picture out of a fairytale. These graceful, regal and powerful birds have captured the imaginations of anyone that has seen them.

Swans form strong pair bonds with one another and will defend the nest. The male swan will drive off anything.

Why are they so aggressive?

Raccoons, foxes, skunks and even coyotes like swan eggs for breakfast. The male swan isn't going to let them help themselves to breakfast, not while he's on watch. Mom will pitch in too.

Swans have been known to attack people on boats, knock over the boats and jump on the people as they are trying to swim away. They will peck at them and beat them with their wings until they get the message across. They want you to leave and when an eighty pound bird wants you to leave, you leave.

The Ostrich is the tallest and heaviest of all birds. They are so big they can't fly.

When mating season comes, the male will mate with females. They lay their eggs in a big pile and the alpha female lays on the eggs. She can identify her eggs from the rest and makes sure that most of her eggs hatch.

She incubates hers and the others together. The male helps her with the task. He sits on the eggs at night while she eats. Then they switch places during the day.

Ostrich eggs are prized by baboons, jackles, Egyptian vulture and other predators looking for a lunch, even humans are on the list. Humans like their eggs because they make good canteens as well as providing a meal.

An ostrich has powerful legs and a kick that can kill a lion. They try to lure away the threat. If that doesn't lwork then watch out!

Now what bird can top our list? This bird has killed humans and is very aggressive. Can't figure it out, then come with me to New Guinea.

This large bird looks like it stepped out of the age of dinosaurs. It's black feathers sway as it walks through the tropical forests where it eats seeds and fruits. They live in New Guinea and Queensland and are known to the tribes that live in those areas to be very aggressive.

The male is smaller than the female and will court the female in the breeding season. After mating she finds a place to lay the eggs and then leaves to mate again with another male. The male takes over nesting and rearing of the young.

They attack like a streak of lightning, slashing out with their claws.

They can fatally wound humans and even kill them. Tribesmen often hunt then and consider them a delicacy.

Tribal members believe that the Cassowary has mystical powers. Some even think it's a female ancestral spirit or the embodiment of the Earth Mother, herself.