Teratornithids

Teratornithids were a group of large, flightless birds that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. They are known for their distinctive, horned beaks and robust bodies, which adapted them to a terrestrial lifestyle. Teratornithids are part of the order Neornithes, which includes modern birds.

The most well-known teratornithid is Teratornis, which was discovered in the late 19th century. Teratornis was a large bird, with an estimated length of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet), and is notable for its large, curved beak with a horny tip. Other teratornithids, such as Anchiornis and Caudipteryx, were smaller and had more bird-like features.

Teratornithids are believed to have been omnivorous, with diets consisting of plants, insects, and possibly small vertebrates. Their large beaks suggest that they may have been specialized for cracking open hard-shelled fruits or seeds.

The extinction of teratornithids is thought to have been caused by the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which marked the end of the age of dinosaurs. This event, likely triggered by a large asteroid impact, led to the extinction of many large terrestrial animals, including non-avian dinosaurs and many groups of birds.

Despite their extinction, teratornithids provide valuable insights into the evolution of birds. Their unique adaptations, such as the horned beak, offer clues about the diverse strategies that early birds employed to survive in changing environments.