Science Source-linked briefing

A giant chicken from the age of the hobbit? Scientists unveil strange prehistoric discovery from Indonesia

Scientists identify Megapodius rokusi, a giant prehistoric chicken relative weighing an estimated 8.6 pounds, from a fossil found in the same Flores cave that yielded Homo floresiensis.

Moohita Kaur Garg

Original contributor via Wion

| November 7, 2026 | 1 min read | Updated Nov 8, 2:00 AM

A giant chicken from the age of the hobbit? Scientists unveil strange prehistoric discovery from Indonesia — Image supplied with the source report: Wion.

Scientists identify Megapodius rokusi, a giant prehistoric chicken relative weighing an estimated 8.6 pounds, from a fossil found in the same Flores cave that yielded Homo floresiensis.

Source disclosure

This is a source-linked briefing. Read the original report from Wion .