Phorusrhacidae, colloquially known as terror birds, is a family of large carnivorous, mostly flightless birds that includes possibly several subfamilies containing many genera, including the eponymous
Skeleton of Titanis at the Florida Museum of Natural History
Phorusrhacinae skulls compared
The red-legged seriema, the closest living relative of phorusrhacids
Reconstructed skeleton of Paraphysornis at the Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro
The seriemas are the sole living members of the small bird family Cariamidae, which is also the only surviving lineage of the order Cariamiformes. Once believed to be related to cranes, they have been
Phorusrhacidae
…giants like Devincenzia possibly reached 3 meters (9.8 ft) tall. Their closest modern-day relatives are believed to be the 80-centimetre-tall (31 in) seriemas. Phorusrhacids were bipedal carnivores with large skulls that terminated in elongated, sharp beaks. Although it varies between genera, most phorusrhacids…
The black-legged seriema (Chunga burmeisteri) is smaller and has a more restricted distribution.
The frontal crest of the red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata) is unique among Neotropical birds.
The seriemas have short wings and rarely take flight.