| Kelenken Temporal range: Middle Miocene |
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|---|---|
| Restoration | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Cariamiformes |
| Family: | Phorusrhacidae |
| Genus: | Kelenken Bertelli et al., 2007 |
| Species: | K. guillermoi |
| Binomial name | |
| Kelenken guillermoi Bertelli et al., 2007 |
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Kelenken is an extinct genus of giant flightless predatory birds of the family Phorusrhacidae or "terror birds".[1]
These birds lived in the Middle Miocene, some 15 million years ago, in Argentina[2] along with Argentavis. With a skull 28 inches (71 cm) long (including its 18 inch, 45.7 cm beak), it had the largest head of any known bird. The tarsometatarsus was about 45 cm long [3].
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Kelenken was one of the largest carnivorous birds of all time, possibly reaching 2.28 to 3 meters (7.5 to 10 feet) tall and weighing around 500 pounds (230 kg).
It is not entirely clear how Kelenken captured and killed its prey. As a large flightless carnivore, Kelenken likely chased down and killed its prey with several bone-shattering blows from its massive beak. Another possibility is that it may have picked up its prey item, then proceeded to shake it vigorously in order break its back. It is also possible that Kelenken may have been a scavenger, driving off other animals with its impressive size, and ferocious looks.
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