A new discovery suggests that a giant, fearsome bird known as a “terror bird” may have been killed by an even more dangerous reptile about 13 million years ago in what is now Colombia.

Scientists found tooth marks on the fossilized leg bone of the bird that perfectly match the teeth of a massive prehistoric caiman – a crocodile-like predator. The bird, taller than a human, was once considered one of the top predators of its time. But this discovery hints that it wasn’t always at the top of the food chain.

A Deadly Encounter

Using 3D scans, researchers were able to match the bite marks to an extinct species called Purussaurus neivensis, a five-meter-long caiman that lived in swampy areas. It likely ambushed its prey from the water, much like crocodiles today.

“This was probably a fatal attack,” said lead researcher Dr. Andrés Link from the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá. “There’s no sign that the bird survived the bite – that day was the end for this terror bird.”

Fossil from the Tatacoa Desert

The leg bone, found over 15 years ago in Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert, was only recently identified as belonging to a terror bird. Local fossil collector César Augusto Perdomo discovered the bone, and scientists noticed unusual puncture marks on it while studying his collection.

Terror bird fossils are rare, making this find especially exciting. The bite marks provided a clue to a violent end – possibly a dramatic fight between two of the biggest hunters of the time.

A Glimpse Into the Past

The Tatacoa Desert was once a humid swamp where dead animals were quickly buried in river mud, preserving their bones. The discovery shows that even top predators like terror birds were not safe from ambushes by even bigger creatures.

“This gives us a glimpse into a real-life prehistoric battle,” said Dr. Link. “It’s amazing how a small piece of bone can reveal so much about life millions of years ago.”