Argentavis magnificens: The largest bird

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            LARGEST  BIRD

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Argentavis magnificens were the birds that can be seen 6 million years ago in Argentina.  It is known as the largest flying bird to exist, which was possibly surpassed in wingspan by Pelagornis sanders, as per reports in 2014. 

Magnificent is also known as the Giant Teratorn, which now comes under the list of extinct species. By keeping track of their existence in the Epecuén and Andalhualá Formations in central and north-western Argentina, it has been evident to obtain the fossils remains of the birds in those areas.

WHAT’S SPECIAL 

  • The largest flying creatures which come under the ‘Kingdom Animalia' are considered as birds but instead, it highly relates or matches with archosaurs, namely the azhdarchid pterosaurs of the Cretaceous.

  • The wingspans of azhdarchids, like those of Quetzalcoatlus and Hatzegopteryx which are the largest azhdarchids, are estimated to range over 10 m (33 ft.), with less conservative estimates being 12 m (39 ft.) or more.

  • The mass weight of these azhdarchids weighs between 200–250 kg (440–550 lb). The estimated height from the ground level was measured around that of an elephant or small giraffe.

  • Comparing the characteristics of an Azhdarchids with that of Argentavis-

  1. Wingspan: 5.09–6.5 m (16 ft 8 in–21 ft 4 in) 

  2. Height: 1.5 to 1.8 m (4 ft 11- 5 ft 11 in)

  3. Mass: 70 to 72 kg (154 to 159 lb)



FLAP THE WINGS 

The huge built size and structure of its wings make it a bit difficult for the Argentavis to fly.

  • A study over Magnificent revealed that mainly flew by soaring and by flapping flight during short periods.

  • In addition, it can be said that it used thermal currents for the same. The estimated minimal velocity for the wing of Argentavis is about 11 meters per second (36 ft/s) or 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph).  The success of a stable flight depends on the wind.

  • Though the legs are strong enough to provide its base for a run-up by a running or jumping start. The wings can only be flipped once it reaches to a certain height above the ground level, as it was prerequisite for the effective flapping of too long wings.

  • The top speed of Argentavis was recorded to be 70km/h. The art of gliding used by them, made it tilted as master gliders. They looked as graceful as other birds irrespective of their size while flying.

EXTINCTION

In Comparison to extant birds, the Argentavis lays one or two eggs weighing over 1 kg (2.2 lb) (smaller than that of an ostriches' egg) every two 

■The birds mainly incubate during the winter to ensure the proper climatic conditions. The duties of incubating and procuring food were equally responsible to both the mates.

■The young bird was considered an independent after16 month though gets mature around the age of twelve years. 

■The mortality rate was very low and difficult to maintain a mere population. About 2% of birds died each year though the reason behind their slow extinction process cannot be figured out. The possible factors leading to the death of these birds were old age, accidents, and disease.

                                                                          BY- ISHITA GUPTA 

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