A new species of large ground-dwelling bird was identified in the same cave on Flores, Indonesia, that yielded Homo floresiensis fossils.

"New species of giant ground-dwelling bird identified in same cave as Homo floresiensis" — Phys.org · Science & Medicine

9 Nov 2026

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What it means

A new species of extinct giant ground-dwelling bird, named *Megapodius rokusi*, has been identified from a fossilized leg bone found in cave on the Indonesian island of Flores — the same cave that yielded the famous 'hobbit' hominin **. The bird was a (a relative of modern chickens and turkeys) and weighed about 3.9 kg, making it the largest known member of its group. The fossil dates to between 190,000 and 120,000 years ago, placing it in the same time frame as *Homo floresiensis*.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is based on a peer-reviewed scientific paper describing the new species, making it a primary source. The reporting by Phys.org closely follows the paper's findings, and multiple other news outlets confirm the same details (name, weight, cave location). The fossil evidence is a single leg bone, but the identification is standard paleontological practice and has been accepted for publication.

A new species of large ground-dwelling bird was identified in the same cave on Flores, Indonesia, that yielded Homo floresiensis fossils.

What it means

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

How new

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