Pre-historic discovery: Scientists find complete skull of 230 kg 'giant goose' in Australia

[Judi Lynn]

1 min read 05 Jun 2024, 01:39 PM IST

Pre-historic discovery: Scientists have found a complete skull of an approximately 230 kg ‘giant gooe’. It is the first time that researchers have found a complete skull of the bird called as Genyornis newtoni



Scientists have been searching for a complete skull of a thunderbird species Genyornis newtoni (Australian Museum)

Scientists have discovered a complete skull of the bird species Genyornis newtoni for the first time. The fully preserved skull found in Australia is of a giant flightless bird, which weighs around 230 kg, nearly four times that of an average human, according to a BBC report.

Until now, scientists have been able to guess the appearance of the giant extinct bird based on the destroyed skull found decades ago. However, the newly discovered skull, around 45,000 to 50,000 years old, would help them identify the giant bird's exact appearance.

When did the giant bird go extinct?

The giant bird species, also known as mihirungs, became extinct around 45,000 years ago. Humans discovered the species when they found the bird's skull for the first time in 1913. However, the remnant of the giant bird was incomplete and heavily damaged. Consequently, the questions surrounding the bird's exact appearance, its habits and ancestry remain unanswered. The discovery of the first complete skull of the giant goose would enable scientists to have first face-to-face encounter with massive mihirung. The skull has the face of a very strange goose.

More:
https://www.livemint.com/science/news/prehistoric-discovery-scientists-find-complete-skull-of-230-kg-giant-goose-genyornis-newtoni-in-australia-11717570556961.html

[Probatim]

1. Imagine a 500 pound Cobra Chicken hissing at you while you walk through your local park.

I suspect golf course employees would be in full combat gear keeping them off the greens.