A new study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describes the species, which stood about 4.5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and sported a foot-long (0.3-meter-long) beak. The study also describes a smaller ancient penguin species found in the same region.

Despite I. salasi's unusual height, its beak is disproportionately large, said lead study author Julia Clarke. Other clues on the beakincluding texturing on the bone and a horny sheathsuggest the animal employed a feeding style akin to spear fishing.

Anne Minard

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