In Depth Paraphysornis was one of the more robust members of the phorusrhacid ‘terror birds’ and was most closely related to Physornis and Brontornis. Because of its large size and heavier build, Paraphysornis probably relied more upon ambush tactics to surprise prey rather than running it down over extended distances. Although this does not mean … Read more
In Depth The Pachyornis genus of moa has a taxonomic history going all the way back to the early days of moa study, though like with many other moa genera, the first remains of Pachyornis were attributed to the Dinornis genus. The Pachyornis genus was spread across virtually all of New Zealand, with P. australis being most common in the northern and southern regions of South Island, P. … Read more
In Depth Though not as famous as Dinornis, the Megalapteryx genus is just as if not even more important to our understanding of moa birds. Megalapteryx is one of the few moa, in fact one of the few prehistoric animals, to be known by mummified remains of soft tissue. Mummification is essentially where all moisture is drawn out of … Read more
In Depth Like similar predatory birds of its day, Phorusrhacos was flightless with its wings greatly reduced in size. The wings of Phorusrhacos also had sharp hooks that seem to be more suited for gripping. These hooks have been suggested as being used to secure struggling prey as Phorusrhacos dispatched it with its beak, but … Read more
In Depth Further Reading - A New Eagle (Aves: Accipitridae) from the Mid Miocene Bullock Creek Fauna of Northern Australia, P. Gaff & W. E. Boles - 2010.
Argentavis Fossil Map This interactive map shows all known fossil discovery sites of Argentavis magnificens. Click on the markers to explore details about each find, including the estimated age, and references. The accompanying bar chart visualizes fossil distribution over geological time range. Classification of Argentavis magnificens This is up-to-date classification of Argentavis magnificens Take off … Read more
In Depth Known from a single juvenile preserved on a slab, Zhongornis has been seen as an intermediary form between more primitive forms like Archaeopteyx which have long bony tails, and more advanced forms like Confuciusornis which had shorter bony tails. Further Reading - A new basal lineage of Early Cretaceous birds from China and … Read more
In Depth Nambashag is a genus of cormorant that lived in Australia during the Oligocene/Miocene. Further Reading - Descriptions and phylogenetic relationships of a new genus and two new species of Oligo-Miocene cormorants (Aves: Phalacrocoracidae) from Australia. - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163 (1): 277–314. - Trevor H. Worthy - 2011.
In Depth Brontornis was easily one of the largest of the known South American ‘terror birds’, and as a member of the Brontornithinae it is noted as being one of the most robust in build. Whereas some terror birds could use their speed to run down prey, Brontornis would have been more suited to ambush … Read more
In Depth Originally named as a species of Dinornis by Richard Owen in 1844, Anomalopteryx was established as a valid genus a few years later by Ludwig Reichenbach. Different genera of moa are noted for specialising between differing habitats, and Anomalopteryx is so far known to have lived in lowland forests where it would have browsed upon shrubs and low growing trees. … Read more