Re: Ah ha! That's where therizinosaurs came from

[Tim Williams <tijawi@gmail.com>]

Ronald Orenstein <ron.orenstein@rogers.com> wrote:

> The ostrich and the Kagu (Rhynochetus jubatus) are living flightless birds
> with large wings (particularly in the kagu) that they use in display. (as
> does the volant sunbittern (Eurypyga helios), probably the kagu's closest
> living relative).


The kagu also glides... at least according to this source:


"It lives in forest and scrub, and when threatened it moves fast on its
chicken-like legs, running down mountain slopes and launching into a long and
low graceful glide away from danger.  It is certainly the best glider of all
the flightless birds."  From Roots, C. (2006) "Flightless Birds".


> The wings of the South American "terror birds" are also
> relatively large (leaving aside the suggestion that they had re-evolved into
> grasping hands in Titanis walleri).


No evidence of grasping hands in _Titanis_.  The following paper
features an illustration of this big birdy:

http://geology.gsapubs.org/content/35/2/123.full.pdf




Cheers

Tim