Unveiling the Terrifying Power of 'Terror Birds': Fossil Prints Expose Killer Claws
Newly discovered fossil footprints of terror birds, giant carnivorous birds that roamed South America between 53 million and 18,000 years ago, reveal that these avian predators used a similar hunting tactic to earlier dinosaurs like Velociraptor. The footprints suggest that terror birds balanced their weight on two toes while using a third toe to pin down their prey. The findings also indicate that terror birds were fast runners and likely used their feet to kick at and pin smaller prey, while using their large, hooked beaks to tear off pieces. The discovery challenges the perception that terror birds primarily hunted large herbivores, suggesting they also targeted smaller prey.