The Moa

The moa were ten species (in six genera) of flightless birds endemic to New Zealand. The two largest species, Dinornis robustus and Dinornis novaezelandiae, reached about 3.7m (12 ft) in height with neck outstretched, and weighed about 230kg (510lb).

Moa are members of the ratites. The ten species of moa are the only wingless birds, lacking even the vestigial wings which all other ratites have. They were the dominant herbivores in New Zealand forest, shrubland and subalpine ecosystems for thousands of years, and until the arrival of the Maori were hunted only by the Haast's Eagle. All species are generally believed to have become extinct by 1500 AD, mainly due to hunting by Maori.

Woody & Scotty made a sculpture of this Moa & the young moa with ferro-cement to honour the extinct majestic giant bird of New Zealand.