What structural feature of *Gastornis* is the primary clue used to infer its feeding habits?
Answer
Its enormous, exceptionally deep, and robust bill.
The defining feature is its enormous, heavy bill, which was exceptionally deep and robustly built, suggesting it was capable of exerting immense force for crushing or shearing tough material.
Related Questions
What was the previous scientific name for *Gastornis* recognized before the current consensus?During which geological epochs did *Gastornis* dominate terrestrial environments?What is the modern favored hypothesis regarding the primary diet of *Gastornis*?How did the estimated mass of *Gastornis* compare to the modern ostrich?What structural feature of *Gastornis* is the primary clue used to infer its feeding habits?What ecological role did the success of *Gastornis* imply about the Paleocene ecosystem?To which modern avian group does current thinking suggest *Gastornis* might have a closer skeletal affinity?What major global event immediately preceded the time period when *Gastornis* flourished?What anatomical feature led paleontologists to initially popularize the idea that *Gastornis* was a formidable predator?What evolutionary risk is demonstrated by the specialized nature of *Gastornis*'s highly specific diet?