ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Ancient man-sized penguin found in New Zealand beach

It was a big one.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
December 12, 2017
in Biology, Geology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

An ancient penguin which lived 60 million years ago was far more intimidating than today’s charismatic tuxedoed birds. It was as big as a grown man, making it one of the largest semi-aquatic birds ever live on Earth.

Kumimanu biceae's size relative to a human being. Credit: Gerald Mayr/Senckenberg Research Institute. Kumimanu biceae‘s size relative to a human being. Credit: Gerald Mayr/Senckenberg Research Institute.

The partially-fossilized skeleton was unearthed from a beach, in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. Researchers from Germany and New Zealand estimate it probably lived between 60 to 55 million years ago, based on the rock layers it was found in.

Scientists named the formidable giant penguin Kumimanu biceae — where “kumi” is a terrifying monster in Maori mythology and “manu” is the Maori word for “bird.”

By measuring Kumimanu’s bones and comparing them to the other ancient penguin remains, the researchers were able to estimate the bird could grow nearly 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length and 223 pounds (101 kilograms) in weight.

Giant penguins aren’t exactly new to science. Icadyptes and Inkayacu, which could grow 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall, roamed the coast of Peru 30 million years ago. Pachydyptes, another man-sized penguin found around New Zealand, was bigger still. Kumimanu tops all other giant penguins by at least 7 inches (18 centimeters). But what makes Kumimanu particularly exciting is its age — it’s the earliest giant penguin scientists have found so far.

Penguins evolved from flying birds tens of millions of years ago, but lost the ability to get airborne and became accomplished swimmers instead. Once grounded, some penguin species became much larger, growing from about 80cm tall to twice the size.

RelatedPosts

Wildlife photographer takes ‘once in a lifetime’ shot of a yellow penguin
The emperor: major penguin colony disappears
Climate change causes penguin colonies to decline by a THIRD
Stop climate change or the Emperor penguins die, a new paper warns

Penguins share a common ancestor with flying birds from which they diverged millions of years ago, losing the ability to get airborne but becoming accomplished swimmers instead. The penguins grew larger and larger and they did so rapidly, judging from the discovery of Kumimanu. After dinosaurs were wiped out 65 million years ago by a giant asteroid impact, so did many predatory marine reptiles, and the penguins were quick to seize the opportunity.

Concerning its appearance, Kumimanu was likely brownish and had a longer beak than its modern day black and white cousins.

“It would most likely have been slimmer too and not so cute looking,” said Gerald Mayr at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt. “It’s one of the tallest penguins that has ever been found.”

The humerus (top) and a bone from the shoulder girdle (coracoid, bottom) of the Paleocene giant penguin Kumimanu biceae, compared to the corresponding bones of one of the largest fossil penguins known to date (Pachydyptes ponderosus from the Eocene in New Zealand) and those of an Emperor Penguin (Aptendodytes forsteri). Credit: G. Mayr/Senckenberg Research Institute.
The humerus (top) and a bone from the shoulder girdle (coracoid, bottom) of the Paleocene giant penguin Kumimanu biceae, compared to the corresponding bones of one of the largest fossil penguins known to date (Pachydyptes ponderosus from the Eocene in New Zealand) and those of an Emperor Penguin (Aptendodytes forsteri). Credit: G. Mayr/Senckenberg Research Institute.

Today, the biggest penguin alive today is the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), reaching 122 cm (48 in) in height and weighing from 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb). ‘

Scientific reference: Gerald Mayr et al. A Paleocene penguin from New Zealand substantiates multiple origins of gigantism in fossil Sphenisciformes, Nature Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01959-6.

Tags: penguin

Share5TweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Animals

Microsleeping penguins nap thousands of times a day

byTibi Puiu
1 year ago
Animals

New emperor penguin colony discovered in Antarctica with satellite mapping

byFermin Koop
2 years ago
PIC FROM Yves Adams/Kennedy News (PICTURED: YVES ADAMS CAPTURED PHOTOS OF WHAT BELIEVES IS A ‘NEVER BEFORE SEEN’ YELLOW LEUCISTIC PENGUIN WHILE GUIDING A TOUR AROUND THE SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLAND OF SOUTH GEORGIA.) A lucky wildlife photographer has revealed 'once in a lifetime' photos of what he believes is a 'never before seen' YELLOW PENGUIN. Yves Adams was leading a two-month photography expedition through Antarctica and the South Atlantic when the tour stopped off at the wild islands of South Georgia. Braving the wild ocean, the 43-year-old and his guests landed at Salisbury Plain to photograph their colony of more than 120,000 king penguins. DISCLAIMER: While Kennedy News and Media uses its best endeavours to establish the copyright and authenticity of all pictures supplied, it accepts no liability for any damage, loss or legal action caused by the use of images supplied and the publication of images is solely at your discretion. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266
Animals

Wildlife photographer takes ‘once in a lifetime’ shot of a yellow penguin

byTibi Puiu
4 years ago
Animals

Stop climate change or the Emperor penguins die, a new paper warns

byAlexandru Micu
6 years ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.