Pelagornis | |
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Reconstruction of a P. miocaenus skeleton at the NMNH. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | †Odontopterygiformes |
Family: | †Pelagornithidae |
Genus: | †Pelagornis Lartet, 1857 |
Type species | |
†Pelagornis miocaenus Lartet, 1857
| |
Species | |
†P. miocaenus Lartet, 1857 | |
Synonyms | |
see text |
Pelagornis is a widespread genus of prehistoric pseudotooth birds. These were probably rather close relatives of either pelicans and storks, or waterfowl, and are placed here in the order Odontopterygiformes to account for this uncertainty.[1]