Moa

Moa, common name, originally used by the Maoris, for ostrichlike birds that inhabited New Zealand. Moas are extinct—the last species dying out in the early 19th century. Most moa bones have been found in swamps, others in sands, riverbeds, and in dry caves, where bits of skin and feathers have been preserved. Many pieces of their thick-shelled eggs and a few whole eggs have been found, one containing a large embryo.

Moas varied greatly in size, from about 1 m (about 39 in) to 4 m (13 ft) in height. Unlike ostriches, moas lacked even the rudiments of wings. Their legs were massive and relatively short. Moas were widespread in New Zealand when it was colonized by the Maori people about 800 years ago, but were extinct or extremely rare by the time Captain James Cook first visited there in 1769.

Scientific classification: Moas belong to the order Dinornithiformes.