Masillaraptoridae is an extinct family of stem-group falconiform birds from the Eocene of Europe. They are noted for their relatively long legs. Two genera have been named: Danielsraptor, from the London Clay of England, and Masillaraptor, from Messel Pit in Germany.
Description
Masillaraptorids had long legs, which may indicate that they had a terrestrial lifestyle, foraging on the ground similar to modern caracaras. They had large
, suggesting that they would have likely had long tail feathers. This, in addition to their long
, suggest that they were capable of well-developed flight. Their beaks are similar to those of extinct
phorusrhacids and extant caracaras.
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Classification
The cladogram below displays the phylogenetic position of Masillaraptoridae within the Falconiformes:[
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