There has long been debate about Big Bird’s species, with some experts claiming he was a canary, but recent genetic analysis places him firmly in Cariamiformes.

https://explainxkcd.com/3069/

      • Delta_V@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        A quick dive down a wiki hole has left me with the impression that this guy’s contemporary duck-size proto-horses had large canine teeth.

        I don’t like my odds either way.

    • egrets@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Funnily enough, Brontornis does now most frequently get placed in Anserimorphae alongside waterfowl, whereas it was previously most often thought to be a terror bird (though I should say there’s still plenty of debate). It’s thought to be heavier than any terror bird at possibly as much as 400kg - where the average horse apparently weighs 500kg.

      Being extinct, I assume no one ever told it how to get to Sesame Street.

    • Cocodapuf@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      Would you rather fight a horse sized duck or a horse’s weight in normal sized ducks?