elephant bird
noun
: any of a group (genus Aepyornis or order Aepyornithiformes) of gigantic flightless ratite birds known only from remains found in Madagascar
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The varied moa species of ancient New Zealand, the enormous elephant birds of Madagascar and even the recently extinct dodo of Mauritius are all examples of what can happen when birds settle in on islands.
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Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
Island-dwelling ratites, like the elephant bird and giant moa, are among the most striking casualties.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Ten-foot-tall elephant birds strutted across Madagascar until a thousand years ago.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
Native to Madagascar, the elephant bird was one of the largest birds ever to exist, standing up to 10 feet tall.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
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Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
Island-dwelling ratites, like the elephant bird and giant moa, are among the most striking casualties.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Ten-foot-tall elephant birds strutted across Madagascar until a thousand years ago.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
Native to Madagascar, the elephant bird was one of the largest birds ever to exist, standing up to 10 feet tall.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elephant bird
Cite this Entry
“Elephant bird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20bird. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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