Cassowary kills American owner

A cassowary has killed its owner in the US state of Florida by attacking him after he fell over.

The Alachua County Fire Rescue Department reported the bird killed the man on Friday on his property, likely using its long claws.

Cassowaries are large, flightless birds native to Australia and New Guinea, similar to emus, that stand up to 1.8m tall and weigh up to 60kg. The San Diego Zoo’s website calls them the world’s most dangerous bird with a 10cm, dagger-like claw on each foot that can cut open people or predators. They have black body feathers and bright blue heads and necks.

They are sought after by collectors and it is estimated there are fewer than 1000 in the wild.