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338 / Recently extinct
Sylviornis
Sylviornis neocaledoniae
This tall flightless island bird was closer to megapodes than its heavy build suggested.
- Time range
- About 30,000–3,000 years ago
- Final stage
- Late Holocene
- Geographic range
- Forest and scrub · New Caledonia
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Sylviornis?
Sylviornis (Sylviornis neocaledoniae) was an extinct organism known from About 30,000–3,000 years ago, with a range in Forest and scrub · New Caledonia.
Life and ecology
Sylviornis walked the forest floor for plants and invertebrates; direct evidence for mound building is absent.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Sylviornis disappear?
Hunting, fire and habitat change after human arrival probably caused extinction.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Sylviornis?
Cave and archaeological bones, eggshell and dates constrain its form and loss.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS