Argentavis

ancient birds · Argentina · giants

Impossibly huge flyer. Argentavis was the largest flying bird ever discovered and still holds the record as the heaviest bird that could actually fly. It lived in Argentina during the Late Miocene period, roughly 5 to 7 million years ago.

Weighed as much as a person. This giant bird was so heavy that scientists believe it weighed between 150 and 200 pounds, making it about as heavy as a grown adult human. Despite this incredible weight, it could still soar through the air.

Wings weren't the longest. While Argentavis had massive wings, another bird called Pelagornis sandersi discovered in 2014 had wings about 20 percent longer. However, Argentavis remains the record holder for being the heaviest flying bird of all time.

Lived in ancient Argentina. Fossils of Argentavis have been found at three different sites in central and northwestern Argentina in rock formations called the Epecuén and Andalhualá Formations. These rocks preserve clues about life from millions of years ago.

Member of teratornithids. Argentavis belonged to a family of huge extinct birds called teratornithids, also known as giant teratorns. These birds were some of the most impressive flying animals ever to exist on Earth.