What is Moa?
[[File:Moa Heinrich Harder.jpg|thumb|right|300px|An illustration of some Maori hunting a pair of moas, by Heinrich Harder. In actuality, the Maori people did not have bows and arrows.]] [[File:Kiwi, ostrich, Dinornis.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Comparison of a [[kiwi]], [[ostrich]], and ''[[Dinornis]]'', each with its egg]] The '''moa''' were large, herbivores and were [[flightless birds]] with no [[wing]]s. They lived only in [[New Zealand]], and are now all [[extinct]]. There were nine [[species]] (in six [[genera]]) of Moa.<ref>Ornithological Society of New Zealand: New Zealand recognised bird names (NZRBN) database [http://www.bird.org.nz/nzrbn.htm]</ref> The largest and best known were the [[genus]] ''[[Dinornis]]'', which grew up to 3.6 meters (12&nbsp;feet) tall, and weighed as much as 230 kilograms (510 pounds). The [[Māori people]] arrived in New Zealand from [[Oceania]] about 800 years ago. Then, moas lived in large numbers, especially on South Island. [[Archaeology|Archaeological]] sites with evidence of moa hunting are all over New Zealand. The moas became [[extinct]] about five hundred years ago.<ref>Martin P.S. and Klein R.G. (eds) ''Quaternary extinctions: a prehistoric revolution''. University of Arizona Press, Tucson AZ.</ref> The moas had survived being hunted by [[Haast's eagle]]. However, they could not survive being hunted for food by the Maori. Recent extinctions (also mostly birds) have been caused by [[habitat]] change and introduced [[species]]. == Large birds == * [[Cassowary]] * [[Elephant bird]] ** ''[[Aepyornis]]'' * [[Terror birds]] ** ''[[Phorusrhacos]]'' ** ''[[Brontornis]]'' * ''[[Dromornis]]'' * ''[[Gastornis]]'' (''Diatryma'') == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:Birds of New Zealand]] [[Category:Ratites]] [[Category:Struthioniformes]] [[Category:Moa| ]]