Amaimegalornis was a prehistoric macaw that lived during the late Miocene to early Pliocene epochs, approximately 5 to 3 million years ago. It was first discovered in the Talara Tar Seeps in northwestern Peru and was named by Storrs Olson in 1987.
Amaimegalornis was a large bird, with a wingspan estimated to be around 1.5 meters (5 feet). It had a large, powerful beak with a curved tip, which it likely used to crack open hard nuts and seeds. Its legs were strong and built for perching, and it likely spent much of its time in trees.
Based on its anatomy, it is believed that Amaimegalornis was closely related to modern macaws and parrots. However, it is not clear whether it was capable of flight, as it may have been too large and heavy to fly for long periods of time.
Amaimegalornis is important to scientists as it provides insights into the evolutionary history of parrots and macaws. Its discovery also suggests that these birds have been present in South America for millions of years and have evolved alongside other iconic South American animals such as giant sloths, armadillos, and terror birds.