Thambetochen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ThambetochenTemporal range: Holocene
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| Rostrum and sternum of T. xanion | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | †Thambetochen Olson & Wetmore, 1976 |
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Thambetochen was a type of duck that is now extinct. It belonged to a group of birds called moa-nalo. These birds lived a long time ago in Hawaii. There were two known species of Thambetochen. One was the Maui Nui moa-nalo (T. chauliodous). The other was the smaller O'ahu moa-nalo (T. xanion).
About Thambetochen
Thambetochen birds were quite large. They could not fly, even though they were ducks. They had strong legs for walking. Their wings were very small and not useful for flying. These birds lived on the islands of Hawaii. They evolved there without any large land mammals. This meant they had no natural enemies like foxes or wolves.
Where They Lived
The Maui Nui moa-nalo (T. chauliodous) lived on the islands of Maui and Molokai. The O'ahu moa-nalo (T. xanion) lived on the island of Oahu. Each species lived on different islands.
What They Ate
Thambetochen ducks ate plants. Their beaks had special tooth-like parts. These parts are called lamellae. They helped the birds filter and process their plant food. They digested their food in a special way. This process is called hindgut fermentation. It means their food broke down in the back part of their digestive system.
Why They Disappeared
Scientists believe that Thambetochen birds became extinct when people first arrived in Hawaii. These people were Polynesians. They settled on the islands. The birds were likely hunted. Their habitats might have also changed. This led to their disappearance.
