RE: large fossil birds

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Ian Paulsen wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone had info on the largest fossil bird species 
> (including the Cenozoic)
> currently known?

I believe the "largest" bird would be _Dromornis stirtoni_ of Australia, 
estimated at over 3m tall and weighing around half a tonne.  The largest 
_Dinornis_ may have been as tall as _Dromornis_ (but probably not as heavy); 
and the largest _Aepyornis_ may have been at least as heavy as _Dromornis_ 
(but probably not as tall).  There are a lot of caveats here.  Because these 
birds are extinct, all weights are estimates; and the exact height of these 
birds (= how high the head was carried above the ground) is dependent on 
posture, specifically how vertically the neck was habitually held.

Cheers

Tim