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Science & Nature • Paleontology

Argentavis magnificens

Argentavis magnificens is an extinct giant bird from the Late Miocene of South America, known from fossils found in Argentina.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Argentavis magnificens is an extinct giant bird from the Late Miocene of South America, known from fossils found in Argentina. It belonged to the teratorn family and is widely regarded as one of the largest flying birds ever discovered.

Taxonomy and naming

Argentavis is an extinct genus of teratornithid bird. The type species, Argentavis magnificens, was formally described by Campbell and Tonni in 1980.

Fossil record

Fossils are known from three sites in the Epecuén and Andalhualá formations of Argentina. These remains date to the Late Miocene, within the Huayquerian South American land mammal age.

Size and flight

Argentavis magnificens is commonly cited as one of the largest known flying birds. Scientific modelling has indicated that it likely relied on soaring and gliding flight.

Evolutionary relationships

The genus belongs to Teratornithidae, an extinct group of large birds of prey. Teratorns were distributed across the Americas from the Late Oligocene to the Late Pleistocene.

Key facts

  • Argentavis is an extinct genus of large birds known from fossil material in Argentina.
  • It lived during the Late Miocene and is known from three fossil sites in the Epecuén and Andalhualá formations.
  • Argentavis belonged to Teratornithidae, a family of large predatory birds found in the Americas from the Late Oligocene to the Late Pleistocene.
  • Modern studies describe Argentavis magnificens as one of the largest flying birds ever known.
  • Research has suggested it flew primarily by gliding rather than sustained flapping.
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Canadian context

Argentavis is relevant to Canadian readers through comparative palaeontology, bird evolution, and museum education on prehistoric life, although it is not native to Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Argentavis?
Argentavis is an extinct genus of giant bird from South America, known from Late Miocene fossils in Argentina.
What species is best known?
The best-known species is Argentavis magnificens, the type species of the genus.
Where was Argentavis found?
Its fossils have been found in the Epecuén and Andalhualá formations in central and northwestern Argentina.
How old is Argentavis?
It dates to the Late Miocene, roughly 6 million years ago.
Was Argentavis a predator?
It belonged to Teratornithidae, a family of large birds of prey, but detailed diet is not fully established from the sources provided.
How big was Argentavis?
It is described in modern sources as among the largest flying birds ever, with studies reporting a wingspan around 7 metres and a mass around 70 kilograms.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentavis
    Supports: Genus-level description, fossil localities in Argentina, Late Miocene age, and family Teratornithidae.
  2. Nature — https://www.nature.com/news/2007/070702/full/news070702-3.html
    Supports: Estimated size and gliding flight interpretation for Argentavis magnificens.
  3. GBIF — https://www.gbif.org/species/144105826
    Supports: Taxonomic name and note that it is among the largest flying birds ever, with wingspan comparison to other giant birds.
  4. Wikipedia — https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentavis_magnificens
    Supports: Name meaning and type species context, consistent with the genus article.