Elephant Bird

The Elephant Bird is among the the largest bird on earth alive today, about 10-12 feet tall and 900-1,200 pounds (but it is dwarfed by a larger South Island giant moa, which is even larger). It was on the brink of extinction in the 1600's due to habitat loss and overhunting, but was protected by humans because the elephant birds are important to the native people and the wildlife of Madagascar. It is a large herbivore that feeds on leaves, shrubs, and berries. It is indigenous to Madagascar's rainforests, forests, and swamps. They come in about 4 species alive today, with 3 species being extinct by either nature or humans.