Paraphysornis is an extinct genus of giant flightless predatory birds of the family Phorusrhacidae or "terror birds" that lived in South America (Brazil). Its length was about 2 meter and the skull had a length of 60 centimeter. The only known species is Paraphysornisbrasiliensis. It lived 23 million years ago.
Paraphysornis shares several characteristics with Brontornis. Due to shared features, Paraphysornis is traditionally considered a member of Brontornithinae alongside Brontornis and Physornis. However, the nature of this clade has come into question, with some researchers arguing that Brontornis does in fact not represent a phorusrhacid and may instead be a gastornithiform anserimorph. Although the matter is debated, Agnolin proposed the name Physornithinae for a clade containing both Physornis and Paraphysornis.
The anatomy of the mandible and the shape of the claws both clearly suggest that the bird was a carnivore, like other Phorusrhacids. Reasonable to assume that Paraphysornis was an active predator like its relatives, leaning more towards ambushing its prey than running them down.
Paraphysornis is an extinct genus of giant flightless predatory birds of the family Phorusrhacidae or "terror birds" that lived in South America (Brazil). Its length was about 2 meter and the skull had a length of 60 centimeter. The only known species is Paraphysornisbrasiliensis. It lived 23 million years ago.
Paraphysornis shares several characteristics with Brontornis. Due to shared features, Paraphysornis is traditionally considered a member of Brontornithinae alongside Brontornis and Physornis. However, the nature of this clade has come into question, with some researchers arguing that Brontornis does in fact not represent a phorusrhacid and may instead be a gastornithiform anserimorph. Although the matter is debated, Agnolin proposed the name Physornithinae for a clade containing both Physornis and Paraphysornis.
The anatomy of the mandible and the shape of the claws both clearly suggest that the bird was a carnivore, like other Phorusrhacids. Reasonable to assume that Paraphysornis was an active predator like its relatives, leaning more towards ambushing its prey than running them down.
-walking-346x277.jpg "Kelenken guillermoi")
