Period of life:
about 126 - 7 thousand years ago
Period:
Habitat:
Rainforests
Taxonomy:
Birds
Height:
1.2 m
Countries:
What the name means: "bird with gigantic claws"
In the world of extinct animals, ornimegalonyx holds a special place. This large species of bird from the owl family was one of the most mysterious. Living in the territory of modern Cuba during the Pleistocene, ornimegalonyx captivates the imagination with its size and structural features. Ranging in height from 60 to 120 cm, it was one of the largest owls to have ever existed on Earth.
The giant owl of Cuba, unlike its modern flying relatives, had reduced wings - they were significantly smaller in size and did not allow it to take to the air. However, this was compensated for by powerful legs with huge claws, perfectly adapted for ground movement and hunting. Ornimegalonyx's plumage was likely of a camouflaging color, helping it blend into the environment and stealthily approach its prey. Large eyes, located at the front of the skull, indicate its excellent night vision, necessary for effective hunting in the dark. A sharp beak completed the image of this formidable bird, capable of handling fairly large prey. Overall, the appearance of ornimegalonyx reflected its lifestyle - a ground predator, perfectly adapted to the conditions of the Cuban jungles, where it was likely one of the most dangerous predators, hunting numerous rodents and possibly even dwarf Cuban ground sloths.
Other animals
INTERESTING FACTS
PUZZLES
HOME
3D MODEL "SKIN"
3D MODEL "MUSCLES"
3D MODEL "SKELETON"
VISION
NEIGHBORS
VOICE ACTING
AR - MODE
GALLERY
HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES