dromornithids

Dromornithids were a group of large, flightless birds that lived during the Miocene epoch, which spans from around 23 to 5.3 million years ago. They were endemic to Australia and are now extinct. Dromornithids were a family of birds known as Dromornithidae, which translates to "large, barren bird" from Greek.

These birds were characterized by their massive size, with the largest known species reaching up to 3 meters in height, weighing around 200 kilograms. They had broad chests, small heads, and relatively short legs. Their beaks were also large and short, with a distinctive curve to them. Dromornithids are often referred to as "megas Lorenornithids" due to their massive size.

Fossil evidence suggests that dromornithids were herbivores, with most of their teeth being small and insignificant, suggesting that they may have relied on plant material for their diet. Their teeth were also shed and continuously replaced throughout their lives. The presence of a distinctive cavity in the jawbone of dromornithids suggests that they may have had some sort of specialized tooth-socket.

Dromornithids were likely solitary animals, with limited social interaction. Their association with water is uncertain, and some researchers suggest that they may have been woodland or forest dwellers, while others believe they were more adapted to wetter environments. The extinction of dromornithids is still a topic of debate, with theories suggesting that they may have been outcompeted by more adaptable species or that changes in environmental conditions made their habitats uninhabitable.