Ptilodontidae

Ptilodontidae is an extinct family of birds that lived during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 83 to 66 million years ago. They are known from fossils found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Ptilodontids were medium to large-sized birds, with some species reaching lengths of up to 1.5 meters. They had a unique combination of features, including a long, slender beak, a large, rounded skull, and a relatively short tail. Their legs were relatively short and sturdy, adapted for walking and running on the ground.

The family Ptilodontidae is divided into two subfamilies: Ptilodontinae and Ptilodontini. Ptilodontinae includes the type genus Ptilodus, which is known from fossils found in North America. Ptilodontini includes the genera Ptilodus and Ptilodontis, which are known from fossils found in Europe and Asia. The exact relationships between these genera and subfamilies are still a topic of ongoing research.

Ptilodontids are believed to have been omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant and animal materials. Their long, slender beak suggests that they may have been adapted for probing and digging, while their large, rounded skull suggests that they may have been adapted for crushing and grinding food. Their relatively short tail suggests that they may have been adapted for running and walking on the ground.

The extinction of Ptilodontidae is thought to have been caused by a combination of factors, including climate change, competition with other birds, and the impact of the asteroid that is believed to have caused the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs. Despite their extinction, Ptilodontidae are an important group of birds that provide insights into the evolution of birds and their relationships with other groups of animals.