Phorusrhacos

fossil bird genus
Also known as: Phororhacos

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comparison with Diatryma

  • Diatryma
    In Diatryma

    …characterized by the unrelated genus Phorusrhacos, common during the Miocene Epoch (between 7,000,000 and 26,000,000 years ago). It was about 1 1/2 metres (5 feet) in height and also had weakly developed wings, strong legs, a large head, and a powerful beak.

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fossil birds

  • zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
    In bird: Modern birds

    The second group, that of Phororhacos and related genera, had a long history (from the lower Oligocene to the middle Pliocene) in South America, which was without large carnivores until relatively recent times. The Phororhacos line evidently evolved from seriema-like stock and radiated into numerous genera and species, the largest…

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