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.