Scientists have found fossils that once belonged to a giant parrot. They say the fossilized bones are the biggest parrot that ever lived. It was probably as tall as a three-year-old child and weighed eight kilograms. The researchers found the fossils New Zealand. They have called the new parrot Hercules, a strongman ancient Greek mythology. The scientists studied the fossilized leg bones they found and said Hercules was a metre tall. This means Hercules is twice the size all other known parrots. The largest parrot scientists know is the kakapo, a flightless bird that also lives New Zealand. The kakapo is the critically endangered species list.
New Zealand is famous its flightless birds. The kiwi is a symbol the country. Scientists say these are vulnerable. This means they could become endangered if their environment stays the same. Another famous New Zealand bird is the 3.6-metre-tall moa. These flightless birds were the biggest birds that ever lived. They were overhunted to extinction early the 15th century. Hercules lived 19 million years ago. A researcher said it probably ate nuts, fruit and seeds, and "perhaps even other parrots". A researcher said: "New Zealand is well known its giant birds. Until now, no one has ever found an extinct giant parrot, anywhere. There are many more unexpected species yet to be discovered."
