Eleutherornis fossil map
Where fossils of Eleutherornis have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 45 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 45 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Prehistoric birds |
|---|---|
| Lived | 48.07–37.71 million years ago (Lutetian to Bartonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Phorusrhacidae |
| Named by | Schaub 1940 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 2 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Switzerland, France |
| Rock formations | txn:39461 |
About Eleutherornis
Eleutherornis cotei is an extinct flightless predatory cariamiform bird which lived during the Middle Eocene of France and Switzerland. Since the early 20th century, researchers have initially described the fossils of Eleutherornis as separate taxa, some remains as a species of Gastornis and others as an ancient ratite related to modern ostriches. However, subsequent analyses have questioned the original interpretations, and a thorough reexamination in 2013 indicated that all of these described remains represent the same species.
It is estimated that Eleutherornis is a relatively tall bird that could grow up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in total height. Paleontologists now agree that Eleutherornis certainly belongs to the order Cariamiformes, which includes the modern seriemas and the extinct Phorusrhacidae, a group of flightless predatory birds mainly known from the Americas. This makes Eleutherornis a relative of the phorusrhacids, with some researchers even suggesting that Eleutherornis is a European member of this group, though this claim has been disputed by others and additional material may be required for confirmation.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Eleutherornis (revision 1380742158), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q15616450.
