elephant bird

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elephant bird

(Animals) another name for aepyornis

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Noun

elephant bird - huge (to 9 ft.) extinct flightless bird of Madagascar

aepyornis

flightless bird, ratite, ratite bird - flightless birds having flat breastbones lacking a keel for attachment of flight muscles: ostriches; cassowaries; emus; moas; rheas; kiwis; elephant birds

genus Aepyornis - type genus of the Aepyornidae: elephant birds

References in periodicals archive ?

Madagascar's giant lemurs, pygmy hippos, and elephant birds survived all the way into the Middle Ages.

The Sixth Extinction

Now he and colleagues have extracted DNA from elephant birds (an egg shown) and found that they are the kiwi's closest kin.

Flightless birds' history upset by ancient DNA

This group contains some of the world's largest birds - such as the extinct giant moa of New Zealand and elephant birds of Madagascar.

This group contains some of the world's largest birds -- such as the extinct giant moa of New Zealand and elephant birds of Madagascar.

Ancient DNA Ends Aussie Claim to Kiwi Origins

Scientists extracted the DNA from the bones of elephant birds at the Museum of New Zealand in Te Papa Tongarewa which led to the discovery of the genetic connection between the two birds.

New Zealand Kiwi Not From Australia; DNA Study Finds Different Ancestor

All sorts of dangers, adventures, and fantastical creatures await--from the Elephant Birds to the Insultana of Ott and her flying carpet, the Badly Behaved Gods, a city of rats, and, of course, the world of video games.

Luka and the Fire of Life

Elephant birds were 3-meter (10-foot) tall flightless birds-much like their ostrich relatives--that once roamed the island of Madagascar.

Explain this!

He will learn jungle survival during five weeks on the remote island of Madagascar, home to many unique species such as lemurs, giant tortoises and elephant birds.