Phorusrhacos longissimus, commonly known as the 'terror bird', was a flightless predatory bird that lived in South America during the Miocene. It had a massive beak, formidable claws, and could reach heights of up to 2.5 meters. Known for their speed and power, terror birds dominated as apex predators of their time.

Phorusrhacos longissimus, commonly known as one of the 'terror birds,' was native to South America. It primarily inhabited regions that are now part of modern-day Argentina during the Miocene epoch, approximately 23 to 5 million years ago.

Phorusrhacos longissimus thrived in open grasslands and savannas, environments that were prevalent in South America during the Miocene. These areas were characterized by wide open spaces with sparse tree coverage, which suited the bird's predatory lifestyle.

As a flightless predator, Phorusrhacos longissimus occupied the niche of a top terrestrial carnivore. It was likely adapted to fast running, using its powerful legs to chase down prey. Its habitat would have included various prey species ranging from small mammals to other birds, utilizing its speed and agility in the open landscape to hunt effectively.