Styrtes

Styrtes is a genus of extinct flightless birds belonging to the extinct family Dromornithidae, often referred to as "demon ducks" or "thunder birds." These large, formidable birds inhabited Australia during the Pleistocene epoch. Styrtes were characterized by their immense size, with some species estimated to have stood over 3 meters tall and weighed several hundred kilograms. Their build was robust, possessing powerful legs and feet, suggesting they were likely terrestrial and capable of swift movement.

The exact diet of Styrtes remains a subject of scientific debate. Evidence from beak morphology and fossilized remains has led to hypotheses that they were primarily herbivorous, feeding on tough vegetation. However, other interpretations suggest they may have been omnivorous or even predatory, utilizing their size and strength to hunt or scavenge. Their evolutionary relationship to modern birds is also under investigation, with many scientists placing them within the Anseriformes, the order that includes ducks, geese, and swans, despite their significant differences. The extinction of Styrtes, like many other megafauna, likely occurred around the time of human arrival in Australia, although the precise causes are still debated, with climate change and human hunting being considered contributing factors.