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.