Extinct bird's giant egg up for auction

LONDON (RTV/FOX) - A rare giant egg from the extinct elephant bird is up for auction at Christie's.

Elephant birds became extinct sometime between the 13th and 17th centuries. Resembling a heavily-built ostrich, it would have stood up to 11 feet high. It is thought the bird was hunted to extinction.

The complete, sub-fossilized egg is 12 inches high and 8 ¾ inches wide. It is expected to fetch up to $45,290 when it is sold April 24.

"It's the perfect timing - Easter - it's the largest Easter egg," said James Hyslop, scientific specialist at Christie's. "In fact, the egg is the largest egg ever laid by any animal. They are bigger than dinosaur eggs."

Hyslop joked that it would have made "one very big omelet."