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
Titanis: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Titanis was a theropoda from the Cretaceous of Unknown, providing important data on prehistoric life and ecosystem dynamics. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Feener 1988: Titanis and related taxa Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Confirmed A 1988 Fossil Feener, Behavioral Ecology … Read more
In Depth Devincenzia was one of the larger terror birds but was still more gracile than some such as Brontornis. This implies that Devincenzia would have had a greater reliance upon speed and agility while hunting. Actually attacks upon prey may have been a series of heavy downward blows from its beak onto the head … Read more
Kelenken: Research Database Phorusrhacidae (Gruiformes) · Miocene (~15 MYA) · South America — Argentina (Santa Cruz Formation) Research Note: Kelenken was a terror bird from the Miocene of Argentina — one of the largest known phorusrhacids and an important taxon for understanding the evolution of giant cursorial predators in South America. Research Finding … Read more