Diatryma
Diatryma
is often referred to as a “terror bird” because of its size, sharp beak, and predatory
nature. These extinct birds were flightless and quite large - they stood
an estimated 2 to 2.5 meters tall. They are known from the Paleocene and
Eocene of eastern Asia, Europe, and North America. They are characterized
by having massive skulls with slicing beaks, strong legs, and sharp claws
Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Vertebrata, Aves,
Diatrymiformes, Diatrymatidae
Diatryma
skeleton (a.k.a. Gastornis) from the Eocene of Wyoming, USA.
(CMNH public display, Cleveland Museum of Natural
History, Cleveland, Ohio, USA)
Diatryma
(a.k.a. Gastornis) from the Eocene of Wyoming, USA - skull of
skeleton shown above.
(CMNH public display, Cleveland Museum of Natural
History, Cleveland, Ohio, USA)
Mostly
synthesized from:
Carroll (1988) - Vertebrate Paleontology and
Evolution. New York. W.H. Freeman and Company. 698 pp.