Australia: The Land Where Time Began

A biography of the Australian continent 

Gastornithidae

Gastornis
Gastornis parisiensis, the type species, Late Palaeocene - Early Eocene of WC Europe, Synonyms: Gastornis edwardsii, G. klaasseni, G. pariensis
Gastornis russeli, Late Palaeocene of Berru, France
Gastornis sarasini, Early Eocene - middle Eocene of WC Europe, Synonyms: Diatryma geiselensis, D. sarasini
Gastornis ajax, Late Palaeocene of Wyoming, USA , Synonyms: Diatryma ajax Shufeldt, 1913
Gastornis giganteus, Early -? middle Eocene of SC North America , Synonyms: Barornis regens, D. steini,  Omorhamphus storchii, O. storchi,
Gastornis minor
Diatryma cotei
Diatryma filifera
 

"Gastornis" minor is now usually in Remiornis again, at least tentatively. "Diatryma" cotei is a large bird of unclear relationships, possibly a gastornithiform, although it does not seem to belong in Gastornis "Diatryma filifera" is the name given to fibres erroneously believed to be Gastornis feathers. Finally, some indeterminable gastornithiform remains from the Palaeogene of Walbeck (Germany) and the Early Eocene of Park County (USA) may well belong in this genus.

Diatryma were named at a time when the original remains in Europe had been incorrectly assembled, and skulls were mostly lacking. It is now known that Diatryma are in fact the same animal as Gastornis, which is the correct name for the group.

Gastornis parisiensis, was about 2 m or more and had a very large, slightly hooked beak, and large legs with large talons. It is believed to have been a carnivore.

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Gastornithidae

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Giant extinct birds
Banded stilts - breeding on playas
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                                                                                           Author: M.H.Monroe  Email: admin@austhrutime.com     Sources & Further reading