Flightless bird with giant head roamed swampy Arctic 53m years ago

Gastornis was also discovered in Wyoming but scientists confirm finding of fossils on Ellesmere island as bird thought to migrate during dark Arctic winters

A giant, flightless bird with a head the size of a horse's roamed the Arctic 53m years ago when the icy wilderness was more like a swamp, scientists have confirmed.

A joint study by American and Chinese institutions found that the massive beast, known as Gastornis, existed on what is now known as Ellesmere island, found above the Arctic circle. It's estimated the bird was 6ft tall and weighed several hundred pounds.