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Key Information

Moas

Species 9 species
Diet Herbivore
Height 4 ft 3 inches to 12 ft
Weight 66 to 550 lb
Lifespan Possibly 50 years
Conservation Status Extinct
Classification Aves > Palaeognathae > Dinornithiformes
Habitat Forests and shrubland

Learning Point

  • Moa were a group of flightless and wingless birds that once inhabited New Zealand. They were large, herbivorous birds that varied in size, with some species reaching heights of over 12 feet. Unfortunately, moa became extinct due to hunting by humans and habitat loss. While there are no living moa species today, their fossils provide valuable insights into the unique ecosystem of prehistoric New Zealand.

Project

  • Draw a mother moa looking after her young.
  • Overview
  • X-Ray
Upland Moa
By George Edward Lodge – Transferred from Commons. Extinct birds : an attempt to unite in one volume a short account of those birds which have become extinct in historical times : that is, within the last six or seven hundred years : to which are added a few which still exist, but are on the verge of extinction. By Lionel Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild (8 February 1868 – 27 August 1937). (https://archive.org/details/extinctbirdsatte00roth), PD-US, Link
Skeleton of a Moa
By Natural History Museum, London – Natural History Museum data portal, CC BY 4.0, Link

Location

Places New Zealand

Fun Facts

  • Moa were herbivores, which means they ate plants.
  • Unfortunately, moa are now extinct. They were hunted by humans and their habitat was destroyed.
  • Some moa were taller than a human!
  • They would have been the only wingless birds when they were alive.

Past Lessons

151 November 13, 2024 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons