The Moa were eleven species (in six genera) of flightless birds endemic to New Zaelands. The two largest species, Dinornis giganteus and Dinornis novaezelandiae, reached about 3.6 m (12 ft) in height with neck outstretched, and weighed about 230 kg (510 lb).
Moa belong to the ratite group in the order Dinornithiformes.[The eleven species of moa were the only wingless birds, lacking even the vestigial wings which all other ratite have. They were the dominant herbivore in New Zealand's forest, shrubland and subalpine ecosystems for thousands of years, and until the arrival of the Maori were hunted only by the Haats Eagle.
It is generally considered that most, if not all, species of moa died
out due to over-hunting by the Māori and habitat decline before European Discovery and settlement.
Burung Moa memiliki sebelas spesies (dalam enam genus) burung pejalan endemik di Selandia Baru. Kedua spesies terbesar, Dinornis giganteus dan Dinornis novaezelandiae, mencapai sekitar 3,6 m (12 kaki) tingginya dengan leher terentang, dan beratnya sekitar 230 kg (510 lb).
Moa
termasuk dalam kelompok dalam ordo Dinornithiformes. Mereka adalah herbivoradominan
di hutan Selandia Baru, semak dan ekosistem subalpine selama ribuan
tahun. Moa diburu oleh Elang Haast elang terbesar di dunia yang juga telah punah. Sampai kedatangan Māori Moa hanya dimangsa oleh Elang Haast. Kepunahan moa diakibatkan oleh perburuan dan pembersihan hutan oleh suku Maori. Semua Moa diperkirakan tewas pada tahun 1500.
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