Phorusrhacos Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Phorusrhacos Temporal range: Miocene

Drawing of Phorusrhacos by Charles R. Knight
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Cariamae
Family:	Phorusrhacidae
Genus:	Phorusrhacos Ameghino, 1887
Binomial name
*Phorusrhacos longissimus* Ameghino, 1887

Phorusrhacos was a type of giant, meat-eating bird that couldn't fly. It lived a long time ago in a place called Patagonia, which is in South America. These amazing birds are often called "terror birds" because they were huge predators! They lived in woodlands and grasslands. Scientists have found their remains in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.

Phorusrhacos stood about 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall. That's taller than most grown-ups! It weighed around 130 kilograms (280 pounds). This bird was one of the biggest meat-eating birds ever. Other large "terror birds" included Titanis, Kelenken, and Brontornis.

What Made Phorusrhacos a Terror Bird?
- The Powerful Beak and Skull
- Hunting Habits
Other Giant Birds of the Past
Images for kids
See also

What Made Phorusrhacos a Terror Bird?

Phorusrhacos had small, basic wings. These wings had claws that looked like meat hooks. It used these claws to grab its prey. Once caught, the prey was killed with its huge beak. This bird mostly ate small mammals and also carrion (animals that were already dead).

The Powerful Beak and Skull

The skull of Phorusrhacos could be up to sixty centimeters (about two feet) long. It had a very strong beak with a hooked tip. The shape of its beak and the big claws on its toes show that it was a true bird of prey.

Hunting Habits

Phorusrhacos was a fast runner. It raced across the grassy plains and hills of Patagonia. It would catch small reptiles and mammals. It left larger prey for its even bigger relatives, like Brontornis.