Kelenken (K. guillermoi `Terror Bird´) is a genus of phorusrhacidae, an extinct group of large predatory birds that lived in the Middle Miocene to Neogene Epoch, about 15 million years ago, in what is now Argentina.
Phororracids were large flightless birds with long hindlimbs, narrow pelvises, proportionately small wingspans, and huge skulls with a hooked beak and are thought to have been dominant land predators or scavengers in the Cenozoic.
Kelenken was one of the largest terror birds ever discovered, standing approximately 2.5-3 meters tall, with a powerful 71cm long skull and could weigh up to 250kg.
Kelenken is believed to have lived in an open savannah habitat, similar to today's African savannah, and likely hunted large mammals such as the typical South American ungulates living at the time, such as Toxodon and Macrauchenia.
Although terror birds like Kelenken have been extinct for millions of years, their legacy lives on in some aspects of modern South American fauna, such as the caracara and chimango, two species of birds of prey that are thought to have evolved from the phorusrhácidos.
The pose represents a Kelenken running in search of its prey.
Approximate measurements of the replica:
- Complete 1:35 Scale
- Length 98mm
- Height 80mm
- Actual height 85 mm
- Complete 1:20 Scale
- Length 168mm
- Height 140mm
- Actual height 150mm
