Ilbandornis

Ilbandornis; Temporal range: Late Miocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	†Gastornithiformes
Family:	†Dromornithidae
Genus:	†Ilbandornis; P. Rich, 1979
Species
	Ilbandornis lawsoni; Ilbandornis woodburnei;

Ilbandornis was a genus of ostrich-sized Dromornithid. It was far more lightly-built than other members of the family, indicating a more cursorial lifestyle. The majority of researchers consider Dromornithids to be herbivorous; this is borne out by molecular analysis of the gastroliths and eggshells of both Ilbandornis and the related Genyornis. While Ilbandornis and Genyornis have skulls of similar size to emus, other Dromornithids such as Bullockornis and Dromornis have far more robust skulls with large beaks; these were previously considered an adaptation for carnivory, but their blunt edges and lack of hooked tip indicate that the species were herbivorous. It is therefore likely that the differences in skull shape are due to differences in diet.

There are currently two species included in the genus, I. lawsoni and I. woodburnei. Both are known from Alcoota Station in the Northern Territory, from Waite Formation sediments dating to the Late Miocene.[1]

References

Rich, P. (1979): The Dromornithidae, an extinct family of large ground birds endemic to Australia. Bureau of National Resources, Geology and Geophysics Bulletin 184: 1–196.

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[1] Rich, P. (1979): The Dromornithidae, an extinct family of large ground birds endemic to Australia. Bureau of National Resources, Geology and Geophysics Bulletin 184: 1–196.