Paleontologists Reveal First Complete Skull of Australia's Giant 'Thunder Bird'
The discovery of the Genyornis newtoni skull provides new insights into the bird's appearance, behavior, and evolutionary history.
- The skull was found at Lake Callabonna Fossil Reserve after a series of expeditions starting in 2019.
- Genyornis newtoni was a flightless bird that lived until about 45,000 years ago, standing over six feet tall and weighing around 500 pounds.
- The skull's unique features, including a goose-like beak and adaptations for feeding underwater, offer clues about its diet and habitat.
- Researchers believe the bird's reliance on freshwater habitats contributed to its extinction as these environments dried up.
- The new findings help scientists understand the evolutionary relationships between Genyornis and other large, flightless birds.
Smithsonian Magazine 
The Conversation 