Paleobiology of Giant Flightless Birds

Paleobiology of Giant Flightless Birds reviews what is known of the palaeobiology of various groups of giant flightless birds that lived at different periods of the geological past, from a few hundred years ago to the late Cretaceous, some 70 million years ago. They include the moas of New Zealand and the elephant birds of Madagascar, the dromornithids of Australia, the terror birds of South America, the gastornithids of Laurasia, and Gargantuavis from Europe.

Their biology, ecology, and extinction are reconstructed on the basis of evidence from sources, ranging from palaeontology to functional morphology, geochemistry, and ancient DNA. The giant flightless birds of the past have attracted the attention of both palaeontologists and the general public since the 19th century, and recent investigations have resulted in considerable advances in our understanding of the biology and ecological of these unusual birds.

The authors summarize what is currently known about the various ways in which these flightless birds adapted to terrestrial environments in different parts of the world at different periods of geological time.

1. Introduction: giant birds in time and space
2. Dinornithiformes: the moas of New Zealand
3. Aepyornithidae: the “elephant birds” of Madagascar
4. Sylviornis: the giant bird of New Caledonia
5. Dromornithidae: the Australian Mihirungs
6. Phorusrhacidae: the “Terror Birds” of South America
7. Brontornithidae: the “Thunder Birds” of South America
8. Gastornithidae: Early Tertiary giants of Laurasia
9. Gargantuavis: an enigmatic giant bird among the dinosaurs
10. Conclusions: the various ways of becoming a giant flightless bird