Aepyornis

Aepyornis is a genus of aepyornithid, one of two genera of ratite birds endemic to Madagascar known as elephant birds. The species A. maximus weighed up to 400 kilograms (880 lb), and was the world's largest bird until its extinction, about 1000 years ago.

Four species are usually accepted in the genus Aepyornis today; A. hildebrandti, A. gracilis, A. medius and A. maximus,[2] but the validity of some is disputed, with numerous authors[weasel words] treating them all in just one species, A. maximus.

    Aepyornis gracilis Monnier, 1913
    Aepyornis hildebrandti Burckhardt, 1893
        Aepyornis mulleri Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894
    Aepyornis maximus Hilaire, 1851
        Aepyornis modestus Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1869
        Aepyornis ingens Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894
        Aepyornis titan Andrews, 1894
    Aepyornis medius Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1866
        Aepyornis grandidieri Rowley, 1867
        Aepyornis cursor Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894
        Aepyornis lentus Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894