otidiformis

Otidiformis is a proposed genus of extinct avian dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The name derives from the Latin "otis" meaning bustard and the Greek "morphē" meaning form, referencing its perceived resemblance to modern bustards. Fossil evidence for otidiformis is currently limited and primarily consists of fragmentary remains.

The sole described species, Otidiformis antiquus, was named based on a partial tibiotarsus discovered in formations of North America. Initial interpretations suggested a bird with a relatively large body size and adaptations for terrestrial locomotion, similar to ground-dwelling birds found today. Some researchers have hypothesized that otidiformis might have occupied a niche similar to that of modern bustards, foraging on open plains.

However, the phylogenetic placement of otidiformis remains uncertain due to the scant fossil material. There is ongoing debate within the paleontological community regarding its taxonomic validity and its precise evolutionary relationships. Some scientists consider it a distinct lineage, while others suggest the fossil material may represent a known group of birds or even juvenile remains of other dinosaurs. Further discoveries are needed to clarify the nature and evolutionary significance of otidiformis.