Study reveals ancient parrot in New Zealand had height of 1m
A team of palaeontologists re-analysed the bones of the parrot with 1m height.
NEW ZEALAND (Web Desk) – A new study has revealed that a parrot that traveled New Zealand about 19 million years ago had a height of 1m (3ft 3in) which is considered as more than half the average height of a human being, BBC reported.
According to details, the remains of the giant parrot were found near St Bathans in New Zealand’s southern Otago region.
"There are no other giant parrots in the world," Professor Trevor Worthy, a palaeontologist at Flinders University in Australia and lead author of the study, told. "Finding one is very significant."
Prof Worthy said his student found the parrot’s bones, preserved for 11 years, by chance in his laboratory during a research project.
A team of palaeontologists re-analysed the bones.
"But until now, no-one has ever found an extinct giant parrot - anywhere," Prof Worthy told.
"We have been excavating these fossil deposits for 20 years, and each year reveals new birds and other animals... no doubt there are many more unexpected species yet to be discovered in this most interesting deposit,” he added.
