Wildlife Journal Junior!
New Hampshire PBS

Home       |       Wild Files       |       N.H. Animals       |       Animals A-Z       |       Watch Online

Phorusrhacidae - terror birds

terror birdThere were about 25 species in this family of flightless birds. They are all extinct now. They were once found in South America.

Terror birds had huge heads; strong hooked bills; tiny wings; and large, powerful legs with clawed toes.

Terror birds have been extinct for at least one million years. They were 3-9 feet tall and weighed as much as one ton. Terror birds were meat-eating predators and used their powerful bills to strike and kill their prey.