Fossil leg bone found in 2009 reveals new extinct bird species 17 years later

 Researchers have identified a new extinct species of ground-dwelling bird, Megapodius rokusi, from a fossil. This fossil, a leg bone, was discovered in Liang Bua cave on Flores Island, Indonesia. It represents the first megapode fossil found in the region called Wallacea, indicating new insights into ancient bird species. The study suggests that the bird was much larger than today’s living relatives. Researchers have identified a new extinct species of ground-dwelling bird, Megapodius rokusi, from a fossil. This fossil, a leg bone, was discovered in Liang Bua cave on Flores Island, Indonesia. It represents the first megapode fossil found in the region called Wallacea, indicating new insights into ancient bird species. The study suggests that the bird was much larger than today’s living relatives.