In Depth
Mesembriornis was a middle of the range ‘terror bird’ with regards to its size, but it was one of the last known to have lived. In overall build Mesembriornis was similar to other medium sized phorusrhacids such as Andalgalornis and may have also filled the same ecological niche as its earlier predecessor.
Mesembriornis is usually depicted as a fast running predator, and while it could have used its beak to attack and kill prey it has also been theorised that it may have used its long legs to kick prey as well as possibly other members of the same genus in interspecific combat as well as to defend its kills from other predators.
Further Reading
Further reading- Systematic revision of the Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes). – Pap�is Avulsos de Zoologia 43(4). – Herculano M.F. Alvarenga & Elizabeth H�fling – 2003.
