Enantiornis

Taxobox
name = "Enantiornis"
status = fossil
fossil_range = Late Cretaceous

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = A pair of "Enantiornis".
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
subclassis = Enantiornithes
superordo = Euenantiornithes
ordo = Enantiornithiformes
familia = Enantiornithidae (disputed)
genus = "Enantiornis"
genus_authority =
species = "E. leali"
binomial = "Enantiornis leali"
binomial_authority =

"Enantiornis" is a genus of predatory enantiornithine bird. The type and only currently accepted species "E. leali" is from Late Cretaceous rocks at El Brete, Argentina.

It was among the largest enantiornithine discovered to date, with a length of around one meter (excluding tail) [http://dml.cmnh.org/2001Jul/msg01069.html] and its ecological niche resembled that of a mid-sized vulture or eagle.

"E. leali" was possibly fairly closely related to "Avisaurus", another genus of carnivorous enantiornithines, though its exact relationship is unclear. It is placed in a family of its own (Enantiornithidae), though most researchers consider this premature.

Other species from Asia that were previously placed in this genus are now split off. The former "Enantiornis martini" is now placed in "Incolornis", while the former "Enantiornis walkeri" is now tentatively assigned to "Explorornis". The reasons for this are that these birds were described when the diversity of enantiornithine birds was underestimated.