elephant bird

noun

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

another name for aepyornis

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Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant bird¹

First recorded in 1885–90

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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

From

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

From

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

From

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.

From

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

From

elephant Elephant Butte

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