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BIG BIRD

Largest penguin that ever lived would have towered over humans and weighed 250 pounds, scientists reveal

MEGA penguins once roamed Earth and would have towered over many humans if they were around today.

That's according to scientists who have studied ancient fossils from the large birds.

Palaeeudyptes klekowskii shown with a human and an emperor penguin for scale
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Palaeeudyptes klekowskii shown with a human and an emperor penguin for scaleCredit: Alamy

New Scientist recently rounded up that have roamed the Earth.

The tallest of which was a species called Palaeeudyptes klekowskii.

That species was said to be over 6.6 feet tall.

Most humans would be dwarfed by a penguin of this size.

The big bird was also said to weigh around 253 pounds.

It's said to have lived around 40 million years ago in Antartica.

The ancient species may sound huge but it's not said to be the heaviest penguin to ever grace our planet.

That title goes to a species called Kumimanu fordycei.

Some experts consider this the largest penguin because it was the heaviest.

It was first described in a study earlier this year.

The big bird was discovered after its flipper bone was found in New Zealand and analyzed by experts.

It's said to have lived over 55 million years ago.

Researchers think the penguin weighed up to 353 pounds.

In comparison, an adult emperor penguin can grow to around 4.3 feet tall.

The modern penguin species can weigh up to 100 pounds.

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