Dinornis, more commonly known as the giant moa was the largest member of the moa family, an order family of flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, closely related to the still living tinamous.
Two species of Dinornis existed, the North Island giant moa (Dinornis novaezealandiae) and the South island giant moa (Dinornis robustus), the South Island giant moa being the largest of all moa species and the tallest bird of all time, although, it is likely that they didn't hold their necks up vertically, instead holding their necks horizontally, as determined from their spine being at the back of the head. The only predator they had to worry about before the arrival of humans in New Zealand was the large eagle, the Haast's eagle.
Females were much bigger and taller than males. At one point, there was even a third Dinornis species, D. struthoides (or the slender moa), until it was reclassified as merely being a male D. robustus.
Unfortunately, all species of moa along with their predator, the Haast's eagle, were wiped out not too long after the arrival of humans, in New Zealand, having been overhunted by the Maori people around the 14th century. Having only grown to fear the Haast's eagle, moa were ill-equipped to cope with the arrival of new species.
Moa were rediscovered by the world in the 1800's by Europeans, and was specifically named by Sir Richard Owen. Fossil mounts would become popular in the century.
Life of Birds (1998)[]
History and Design
Role
Inaccuracies
Cultural Significance
Gallery
What Killed the Mega Beasts (2002)[]
History and Design
Role
Inaccuracies
Cultural Significance
Gallery
Monsters We Met (2004)[]
History and Design
Role
Moa were shown walking around the forests, looking for food. Another moa was killed by Maori hunters.
Inaccuracies
- Moa are now thought to have held their necks in a more horizontal position than shown in the documentary.
Cultural Significance
Gallery
David Attenborough's Natural History Museum Alive (2014)[]
History and Design
Role
A moa comes alive at one point.
Inaccuracies
Cultural Significance
Gallery