Palaelodidae
Encyclopedia
The Palaelodidae are a family of extinct birds in the order Phoenicopteriformes, which today is represented only by the flamingos. They have been described as "swimming flamingos."
Three genera are recognised:
- Adelalopus, called the "stout-legged flamingos" (Borgloon Early Oligocene of Hoogbutsel, Belgium)
- PalaelodusPalaelodusPalaelodus is an extinct genus of birds distantly related to flamingos. They were slender birds with long, thin legs and a long neck. Little is known about the shape of their skull or beak. Some paleontologists think Palaelodus was able to swim under water, chasing prey, but the morphology of their...
(Middle Oligocene -? Middle Pleistocene) - MegapaloelodusMegapaloelodusMegapaloelodusis an extinct genus of birds distantly related to flamingos. It belongs to the same family as the closely related genus Palaelodus, but was more specialized...
(Late Oligocene - Early Pliocene)