TERROR BIRD
Phorusrhacidae
INSTITUTE CLASSIFICATION: Prehistoric Bird With Absolutely No Need to Fly
OFFICIAL STATUS: 
REAL — EXTINCT
ARCHIVE: Ancient Creatures & Lost Legends
CASE STATUS: Investigation Complete
CASE SUMMARY
Institute researchers have repeatedly been told that birds aren’t frightening.
We would now like to introduce:
The Terror Bird.
These were large, flightless predatory birds that lived in South America and elsewhere in the Americas millions of years ago.
Some species stood several metres tall.
They had powerful legs.
Large hooked beaks.
And no particular need to fly because apparently running at things was working perfectly well.
Case opened.
Very carefully.
CLAIMS UNDER INVESTIGATION
CLAIM #1
Giant predatory flightless birds once existed.
CLAIM #2
Some Terror Birds were taller than humans.
CLAIM #3
They possessed powerful hooked beaks.
CLAIM #4
They were major terrestrial predators.
Initial Institute Assessment:
Name seems unnecessarily dramatic.
Evidence examined.
Name reconsidered.
ORIGIN & HABITAT
Terror Birds — members of the family Phorusrhacidae — are particularly associated with prehistoric South America.
Different species existed over a very long period and varied considerably in size.
RECOGNISED BY
Researchers should look for:
Large flightless body
Long powerful legs
Large head
Strong hooked beak
Predatory lifestyle
Having been extinct for millions of years
Again, the final feature is useful.
KNOWN FOR
Being among the most remarkable predatory birds ever to walk the Earth.
Rather than soaring after prey, Terror Birds were terrestrial hunters.
Their legs were built for moving across the ground, while their large skulls and hooked beaks were formidable feeding equipment.
Essentially:
Bird upgraded.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
Terror Birds were absolutely real.
Scientists know them from fossil remains representing numerous species.
They weren’t all identical and shouldn’t be imagined as one single giant monster bird.
Some were relatively modest in size.
Others were enormous.
They occupied predatory roles in ancient ecosystems long before humans arrived in the Americas.
INSTITUTE FIELD NOTES
ARCHIVE INCIDENT REPORT
Researcher requested reconstruction of Terror Bird skeleton.
Skeleton assembled.
Researcher stood beside skeleton.
Researcher reconsidered several previous comments about birds being:
“Basically harmless.”
Comments officially withdrawn.
FUN FACTS
Terror Birds were flightless.
There were multiple species.
They lived millions of years ago.
Some became very large.
Their powerful legs allowed them to move effectively on land.
They had large, hooked beaks.
They were birds.
The Institute has checked that last fact several times.
INSTITUTE SURVIVAL TIPS
If you encounter a living Terror Bird:
DO:
Photograph it.
Contact a palaeontologist.
Contact the Institute.
Reconsider everything science currently understands about extinction.
DO NOT:
Attempt to pat it.
Ask why it can’t fly.
Mention chicken.
Run a race.
Fortunately, this advice has not been required for several million years.
OFFICIAL FINDING
REAL — EXTINCT
Giant predatory bird?
Real.
Flightless?
Real.
Large hooked beak?
Real.
Still chasing researchers?
Thankfully:
No.
JUNIOR RESEARCHER CHALLENGE
Compare a Terror Bird with a large modern flightless bird such as an emu, cassowary or ostrich.
What features do they share?
What is different?
And which modern bird would you least like to discover standing outside your tent?