Ten-Foot Terror Bird!

The fossil of a giant carnivorous bird (2) has been found in Patagonia. It is the largest known avian skull to have ever been found.

The 10ft-tall extinct phorusrhacids (or "Terror Birds") were vicious flightless birds able to snap up dog-sized creatures that flourished in South America between 60 million and two million years ago. The find suggests that these monstrous birds, which are thought to have weighed up to half a ton, were probably more agile and less portly than previously thought.

Snowflake magnified to 300 micrometers

Found: Mighty Mouse

Scientists have discovered what is believed to be the first terrestrial mammal found in Europe in decades: a mouse with a big head, ears, eyes and teeth that lives in a mountainous area of Cyprus.

The mouse was native to the eastern Mediterranean island, survived the arrival of man on Cyprus and could be considered a "living fossil," experts said.

The find is exciting because according to experts, "new mammal species are mainly discovered in hot spots of biodiversity like Southeast Asia, and it was generally believed that every species of mammal in Europe had been identified."

Amapa region of Brazil -- More New Species

An international team of scientists risked their lives to discover 40 new species of plants and animals in a recent exploration of the Amapa rainforest region of Brazil.

A few of the scientists were apparently "nearly eaten by hungry animals" but were ultimately able to come out of the rainforest with thousands of specimens representing dozens of new and interesting specials species. Below are some pictures from Conservation International:

"A possible new species of frog of the genus Dendrobates was discovered during recent expeditions in the Amapá Biodiversity Corridor:"



"The proposed [rainforest preservation] corridor harbors more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, including the lined forest falcon (Micrastur gilvicollis):"

Hummingbird Close-ups

Click to enlarge these neat close-ups of hummingbirds: