A 12 million-year-old fossilized leg bone found in Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert has revealed new insights into the lives of ancient terror birds. The fossil, which likely belongs to one of the largest known species, provides evidence that these giant carnivorous birds were more widespread than previously thought.
The bird’s leg bone was discovered nearly 20 years ago but wasn’t recognized as a terror bird until 2023. Researchers created a 3D digital model of the specimen, leading to the identification of more details about this meat-eating bird. Terror birds were apex predators, standing up to 3 feet to 9 feet tall and powerful hunters capable of taking down large prey with their massive beaks and sharp claws.
The fossil suggests that these birds coexisted with a diverse range of animals in ancient South America, including primates, hoofed mammals, giant sloths, and armadillo-like glyptodonts. The discovery provides crucial insights into the ancient ecosystem of the region, which was once a lush riverine environment.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/science/terror-bird-fossil-found-in-south-america