dromornithids

But its markedly slender tarsometatarsus indicates that it was gracile, and thus almost certainly not as heavy as the far more robust giant aepyornithids (aka elephant birds, restricted to Madagascar bar a few dubious reports from continental Africa and elsewhere) and dromornithids (aka mihirungs, an Australian group argued to be giant waterfowl).

More on phorusrhacids: the biggest, the fastest, the mostest out-of-placest Darren Naish 2006

But its markedly slender tarsometatarsus indicates that it was gracile, and thus almost certainly not as heavy as the far more robust giant aepyornithids (aka elephant birds, restricted to Madagascar bar a few dubious reports from continental Africa and elsewhere) and dromornithids (aka mihirungs, an Australian group argued to be giant waterfowl).

Archive 2006-11-01 Darren Naish 2006

While it is certainly true that some of these birds – reaching a total height of about 3 m and a weight of 350 kg or more – were immense, they were similar in size to, and perhaps smaller than, the biggest aepyornithids and dromornithids, so this isn’t clear cut.

Terror birds Darren Naish 2006

While it is certainly true that some of these birds – reaching a total height of about 3 m and a weight of 350 kg or more – were immense, they were similar in size to, and perhaps smaller than, the biggest aepyornithids and dromornithids, so this isn’t clear cut.

Archive 2006-10-01 Darren Naish 2006