Re: [dinosaur] *Heracles inexpectatus*, giant parrot from the Miocene of NZ

[Tim Williams <tijawi@gmail.com>]

Ronald Orenstein <ron.orenstein@rogers.com> wrote:

> Is anyone but me irritated by the temptation to restore a fossil based on a 
> few fragments?

The press articles need an eye-catching illustration.  A pair of legs
just wouldn't do.    ;-)


> I confess I do not like the restoration of this parrot being used in press 
> articles. Every large parrot of which I am aware, both living and extinct, 
> has a proportionately much larger and more massive bill than do smaller 
> parrots, even close
> relatives (think Palm Cockatoo, Hyacinth Macaw, the extinct Lophopsittacus).  
> Kakapos are admittedly something of an exception, but  aside from that this 
> illustration shows the reverse compared to other Strigopid parrots (Kea, 
> Kaka). I
> suspect that a giant parrot would have had a beak that could have taken your 
> arm off.

As you note, the flightless kakapo (_Strigops habroptilus_) is
exceptional in this regard.  The kakapo is the largest/heaviest extant
parrot, but compared to the kea (_Nestor notabilis_), the kakapo
actually has a relatively smaller skull and beak.  (This is based on
Livezey, 1992. J. Morph. 213:105-145.)  _Heracles inexpectatus_ was
estimated to be around double the mass of the kakapo, but possibly
more closely related to _Nestor_ spp. (based on Worthy et al.).  So
strigopoids may not conform to the trend of relatively larger heads
and beaks with increased body size/mass.  Overall proportions
(especially regarding the head and beak) may be more likely influenced
by diet.  The examples you note  - palm cockatoo, hyacinth macaw,
broad-billed parrot - all favor(ed) tough nuts and seeds.