fossils of a prehistoric parrot have been found in New Zealand
Heracles inexpectatus is a giant fossil parrot species from New Zealand, assigned to a monotypic genus Heracles, that lived during the early Miocene.
The species was described from fossils discovered in 2008 at Saint Bathans, Otago, New Zealand.
It is believed that the species stood up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall and weighed approximately 7 kg (15 lb).
Initial analysis suggests it is from the superfamily Strigopoidea, which consists of three confirmed genera of parrots: Nestor (kea and kaka), Strigops (kakapo) and the fossil Nelepsittacus.
The species was likely flightless
Heracles inexpectatus is a giant fossil parrot species from New Zealand, assigned to a monotypic genus Heracles, that lived during the early Miocene.
The species was described from fossils discovered in 2008 at Saint Bathans, Otago, New Zealand.
It is believed that the species stood up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall and weighed approximately 7 kg (15 lb).
Initial analysis suggests it is from the superfamily Strigopoidea, which consists of three confirmed genera of parrots: Nestor (kea and kaka), Strigops (kakapo) and the fossil Nelepsittacus.
The species was likely flightless
