The Extinct Order of Flightless Birds: Struthioniformes

Struthioniformes is an extinct order of flightless birds that lived during the Paleogene and Miocene epochs, from around 65 to 23 million years ago. The name "Struthioniformes" comes from the Greek word "strouthos," meaning "ostrich," and the suffix "-formes," meaning "form or shape."

The Struthioniformes were characterized by their large size, long necks, and powerful legs. They were herbivores and likely fed on plants and fruits. Some species had long tails and short wings, while others had no wings at all. The order included several families of birds, such as the Struthionidae (ostriches), the Emeidae (turacos), and the Gaviiformes (ovids).

Struthioniformes were found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America during the Paleogene and Miocene epochs. They were likely important components of their ecosystems, playing a role similar to that of modern-day grazing mammals. However, many species of Struthioniformes went extinct at the end of the Miocene epoch, around 23 million years ago, likely due to changes in climate and the evolution of new predators.