Extinct Teratorn (Family Teratornithidae) Fact Sheet: Distribution & Habitat

Paleontologists use knowledge of the earth's rocks, global plate tectonic movements, ancient ecosystems, and the chemical process of fossilization to make sense of fossil distribution patterns and ancient habitats.

• Argentavis magnificens known from central and northwestern Argentina.
• T. merriami known from about 105 specimens from Rancho La Brea,California, plus Florida, New Mexico, and Mexico
• Cathartornis gracilis known only from Rancho La Brea, California
• Ailornis incredibilis found in southern California and Nevada

• Argentavis: This bird, the largest of the teratorns may have depended on updrafts and thermals to stay aloft (Chatterjee et al 207)
• Argentavis may have evolved in South America along with the evolution of open grasslands and the rise of the Andes. (Rhys 1980) (Chatterjee et al 2007)
  • Habitat may have been a large plain like southern Patagonia today (savanna with distinct dry season) (Campbell & Tonni 1981) with areas of mountain ranges or high ground for nesting and taking off. (Palmqvist & Vizcaíno 2003) (Chatterjee et al 2007)
  • Home range estimated at 542 km sq (Palmqvist & Vizcaíno 2003)
• Teratornis merriami occupied habitats that were less open, with coastal shrub and woodlands in California

Campbell & Tonni (1981)
Chatterjee et al. (2007)
Palmqvist & Vizcaíno (2003)
Rhys (1980)