The giant killer bird has been defeated. We know what killed him
It could have been the largest bird in history. Argentine researchers have just published the results of analyzes of the terrifying specimen. This gigantic, winged creature could have spread true terror in the region of modern-day Colombia. But he was brutally defeated.
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Even over 3 meters high – that’s how much the huge bird whose remains were discovered in South America could measure. Although he certainly spread great fear in the places where he appeared, not everyone was afraid of him. This is proven by a recent analysis. Who could stand up to the huge bird?
Clash of giants
The research carried out is based only on a fragment of the lower leg bone, which perfectly shows how much progress science has made. Birds of the genus Phorusrhacidae could be found in what is now the Tatacoa Desert in Colombia about 12 million years ago. However, the discovered fossil also shows signs of struggle, suggesting the end of the giant winged creature. It could have died in the mouth of an ancient relative of crocodiles, the great Purussaurus, which reached up to 9 meters in length. Interestingly, although the remains of the large, winged animal were discovered almost 20 years ago, only now, thanks to the 3D scanning technique, have traces of depressions on the legs unique to this type been found.
Of course, the found lower leg bone is not the only remnant of large, predatory birds from millions of years ago. Previous discoveries indicate, for example, that these animals had massive beaks, which, combined with the anatomy of the skull, suggests that they were highly effective in murdering their victims. Even though they were birds, they were rather used to running on their legs. Fortunately for humans, these animals became extinct long before the progenitors of our species appeared – emphasizes the portal sciencealert.com describing the research
Interestingly, at the moment it is not certain whether the found specimen is a completely new species or rather one of the already discovered representatives of the genus Phorusrhacidae (such as the large Titanis walleri, which can be seen today at the Florida Museum of Natural History). The discovered remains are 30% larger than previously known specimens. Additionally, the fossil is the northernmost remains of its type in South America. Perhaps further research will help discover this secret. It is worth knowing that today there are relatives of these large, dangerous birds living among us, although today they are basically their opposite – long-legged and much smaller birds such as the red-legged kariama.
