Elephant bird is any one of several species (kinds) of giant extinct birds that once lived on the island of Madagascar. These birds could not fly. The largest was about 9 feet (2.7 meters) high and weighed about 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms). Eggs that could hold 2 gallons (8 liters) were found with the birds’ bones. The eggs were the largest known single cells in any animal.
Elephant birds lived on Madagascar when people first arrived there about 2,000 years ago. The birds probably were widespread on the island until the A.D. 900’s. People may have contributed greatly to their extinction. Some people think legends of the giant bird called the roc were based on knowledge of elephant birds.
