Dromornithidae

Stirton - thunderbird ( Dromornis stirtoni ) in a live reconstruction

• Australia
• Tasmania

The Thunderbirds ( Dromornithidae ) were huge, flightless birds from Australia and Tasmania. They are also known under the name Riesenemus or in Australia as Mihirungs and belong to the geese birds ( Anseriformes ). The oldest finds are about 20 million years old.

Dromornis australis and Stirton - thunderbird ( Dromornis stirtoni ) were heavily over half a ton and 3 meters high. Genyornis newtoni still lived in the Pleistocene, and was known to the Aborigines. Bone findings in human settlements show that he was being chased. He died from approximately 11,000 years ago.

Your extinction due to climate change, bushfires and possibly hunting.

Species

There are 5 genera and 7 species are known:

• Barawertornis Barawertornis tedfordi Rich, 1979

• Bullockornis Planei Rich, 1979

• Dromornis australis Owen, 1872
• Stirton - thunderbird ( Dromornis stirtoni Rich, 1979)

• Genyornis ( Genyornis newtoni Stirling & Zietz, 1896)

• Ilbandornis lawsoni Rich, 1979
• Ilbandornis woodburnei Rich, 1979

Outer systematics

The probable systematic position of the thunder birds are following cladogram again:

† Gastornis

Screamers ( Anhimidae )

† Thunder Birds ( Dromornithidae )

Spaltfußgänse ( Anseranatidae )

† Presbyornis

Ducks ( Anatidae )