The Terror Bird
Phorusrhacos, also known as the “Terror Bird,” was a huge, flightless bird that lived in South America around 20 million years ago.
| Meaning | Rag-bearer |
| Pronunciation | FOR-us-RAH-kos |
| When: | Miocene (about 23–15 million years ago) |
| Where: | South America (Argentina) |
| What: | Bird (terror bird, carnivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 130 kg (290 pounds) |
| Length: | Approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet) |
| Diet: | Carnivorous (ate small to medium-sized animals) |
| Discovered: | First described by Florentino Ameghino in 1887 |
It stood about 8 feet tall, which is taller than most grown-ups, and weighed as much as a big dog. Phorusrhacos had a large, strong beak that looked like a hook, perfect for catching and eating other animals.
With its powerful legs, it could run very fast to chase down its prey.
Imagine a giant bird running through the grasslands and forests of ancient Argentina, hunting like a speedy dinosaur!
Even though it couldn’t fly, Phorusrhacos was one of the top predators of its time, making it one of the coolest and scariest birds ever!