elephant bird

noun

1. any of several huge, extinct, flightless birds of the genus Aepyornis, of Madagascar, reaching a height of about 9 feet (2.7 meters).

elephant bird

noun

1. another name for aepyornis

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant bird¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The elephant bird was the heaviest bird to ever walk the earth.

Read more on Scientific American

Two thousand years ago, lemurs the size of humans and giant “elephant birds” roamed Madagascar.

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Madagascar was once home to towering elephant birds, giant tortoises, and even giant lemurs.

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The elephant birds and the giant lemurs, along with most of the other large animals of Madagascar, suddenly vanished about 1,500 years ago—precisely when the first humans set foot on the island.

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The only larger egg ever found came from the elephant bird, which went extinct in the 17th century.

Read more on New York Times