The robust hook-shaped beak of the "Terror Bird" Phorusrhacos was ideal for grasping prey such as small mammals and lizards. Like modern predatory birds its eyes faced directly forwards, providing binocular vision for effective hunting.

The reconstruction shows dusk in the grassy plains and coastal forests of South America during the Early Miocene. The enormous Terror Birds, up to 3 metres tall, dominated the landscape for 60 million years until they became extinct 1.8 million years ago. Terror Birds probably killed their prey by repeatedly smashing them against the ground, and their powerful legs were capable of splitting the bones to feed on the marrow.

Location: Santa Cruz Formation, Argentina
Age: early Miocene to Middle Miocene (~14 million years ago)

Phone a fossil home page

School of Earth & Environment home page