Ancient penguin was as big as a (human) Pittsburgh Penguin

December 11, 2017 11:00 pm • Last Updated: December 13, 2017 12:59 am

By By MALCOLM RITTER

This illustration provided by Gerald Mayr shows the size of an ancient giant penguin Kumimanu biceae. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, researchers announced their find of fossils from approximately 60-55 million years ago, discovered in New Zealand, that put the creature at about 5 feet, 10 inches long when swimming, and 223 pounds. (Gerald Mayr/Senckenberg Research Institute via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Fossils from New Zealand have revealed a giant penguin that was the size of a grown man. In fact, it was about as big as the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The creature was about 5 feet, 10 inches long when swimming, just shy of the official height listing for hockey star Sidney Crosby.

When the bird was standing, though, it was only about 5-foot-3.

The ancient penguin lived about 56 million to 60 million years ago. Researchers reported Tuesday that it's the biggest penguin known among those that have left substantial skeletons to analyze.

The biggest penguin today, the emperor in Antarctica, stands less than 4 feet tall.

This illustration provided by Gerald Mayr shows the sizes of an ancient giant penguin Kumimanu biceae and a human being. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, researchers announced their find of fossils from approximately 60-55 million years ago, discovered in New Zealand, that put the creature at about 5 feet, 10 inches long when swimming, and 223 pounds. (Gerald Mayr/Senckenberg Research Institute via AP)

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