The terror birds, also known as phorusrhacids, were a group of large, flightless birds that lived in South America during the Cenozoic era, between 60 and 2 million years ago. These birds were apex predators, with sharp beaks and powerful legs that allowed them to chase down and kill prey as large as horses and small rhinoceroses.
The earliest terror birds were relatively small, standing about 1 meter tall, but over time they evolved into much larger and more fearsome predators, with some species standing over 3 meters tall and weighing as much as 300 kilograms. Despite their size, terror birds were agile and fast, able to reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour.
For millions of years, the terror birds ruled the forests and grasslands of South America, but their reign eventually came to an end. Scientists believe that climate change, the arrival of new predators such as saber-toothed cats and bears, and changes in the availability of prey may have all contributed to their demise.
Today, the only remnants of the terror birds are their fossilized bones, which have been found all over South America. These fossils have helped scientists learn more about these incredible creatures, including how they lived, hunted, and eventually went extinct.
