Gondwanatheres

Gondwanatheres is a genus of extinct, flightless birds that lived during the Late Cretaceous and Early Paleogene periods, approximately 70 to 55 million years ago. They are known from fossils found in South America, Africa, and Antarctica, indicating that they were widespread across the southern continents of Gondwana. Gondwanatheres are characterized by their robust, heavy bodies, short wings, and strong legs, which suggest they were adapted for a terrestrial lifestyle. They are believed to have been omnivorous, with a diet consisting of both plant material and small animals. The genus includes several species, with the most well-known being Gondwanatheres crassus, which was one of the largest known flightless birds, with an estimated body mass of up to 100 kilograms. Gondwanatheres is an important group for understanding the evolution of birds and the diversification of avian life in the southern continents.