Bullockornis

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iBullockornis Fossil range: Middle Miocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Dromornithidae Genus: Bullockornis P. Rich, 1979 Species: B. planei
Binomial name
Bullockornis planei P. Rich, 1979

Bullockornis, nicknamed the Demon Duck of Doom, is an extinct flightless bird that lived in the Middle Miocene, approximately 15 million years ago, in what is now Australia.

Bullockornis stood approximately 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) tall. It may have weighed up to 250 kg (550 lb). Features of Bullockornis's skull, including a very large beak designed for shearing, indicate that the bird may have been carnivorous. Many paleontologists, including Peter Murray of the Central Australian Museum, believe that Bullockornis was related to geese and ducks. This, in addition to the bird's tremendous size and possible carnivorous habits, gave rise to its colourful nickname.

[edit] See also

• Australian megafauna
• Dromornithidae
• History of Australia

[edit] References

• Rich, P. (1979): The Dromornithidae, an extinct family of large ground birds endemic to Australia. Bureau of National Resources, Geology and Geophysics Bulletin 184: 1–196.

[edit] External links

• Australia's Lost Kingdoms - Late Miocene period - Big Birds
• The Bird from Hell?
• 'Thunder Birds' - The Family Dromornithidae
• Giant duck a flesh eater