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Description
A single genus of Pangalliform was also present at Site M24: Marbotornis. This was a large, semi-arboreal bird reminiscent of a Curassow with Pheasant-like traits. The genus was the oldest and most basal member of the modern family Fenghuangidae. These beautiful, elaborately plumed animals are native only to East and South East Asia by the Holocene, where they inhabit sub-tropical forests. However, it seems that the group got its start in the Oligocene of Europe before dying out there during the Middle Miocene. This, as well as other impressions in the fossil record, are indicative of the loss of Europe’s humid forests during the later Miocene. Marbotornis was the largest tree dwelling bird at Quercy, roughly the size of the Guans from Our World, with a wingspan of up to 80cm and weighing about 1 kg. Based on the structure of the bill, this bird was an omnivore with a diet consisting mainly of fruit and seeds but supplemented with insects and small vertebrates. The legs were relatively elongated and the strong curved pedal claws suggest a decent climbing and grasping ability. Modern Fenghuangids are strongly sexually dimorphic animals, with males being significantly larger and more colourful than females. It is assumed that M. grandis would have been similar, but we are not absolutely sure of this due to a lack of preserved feather impressions for the genus. The wings were short and stubby for the size of the animal, suggesting fairly weak flying ability.

Description
A single genus of Pangalliform was also present at Site M24: Marbotornis. This was a large, semi-arboreal bird reminiscent of a Curassow with Pheasant-like traits. The genus was the oldest and most basal member of the modern family Fenghuangidae. These beautiful, elaborately plumed animals are native only to East and South East Asia by the Holocene, where they inhabit sub-tropical forests. However, it seems that the group got its start in the Oligocene of Europe before dying out there during the Middle Miocene. This, as well as other impressions in the fossil record, are indicative of the loss of Europe’s humid forests during the later Miocene. Marbotornis was the largest tree dwelling bird at Quercy, roughly the size of the Guans from Our World, with a wingspan of up to 80cm and weighing about 1 kg. Based on the structure of the bill, this bird was an omnivore with a diet consisting mainly of fruit and seeds but supplemented with insects and small vertebrates. The legs were relatively elongated and the strong curved pedal claws suggest a decent climbing and grasping ability. Modern Fenghuangids are strongly sexually dimorphic animals, with males being significantly larger and more colourful than females. It is assumed that M. grandis would have been similar, but we are not absolutely sure of this due to a lack of preserved feather impressions for the genus. The wings were short and stubby for the size of the animal, suggesting fairly weak flying ability.