South Island Giant Moa Extinct
circa 1400 CE • South Island of New Zealand
"There were about 13 species of giant birds, the moas, some of which may still have been alive in remote areas until less than two centuries ago. The Maori, who came to New Zealand more than 1000 years ago, quickly learned to hunt the huge birds. The tallest moas grew to a little over 10 feet (3 meters) high, and could exceed 550 pounds (250 kilograms) in weight. The last authentic sightings may date from as recently as the 1800s, though many species, including the largest, were extinct much earlier."
Balouet, Jean Christophe., Eric Alibert, and Joan Robb. Extinct Species of the World. New York: Barron's, 1990. 69.
Artist unknown :Skeleton of the extinct moa (Dinornis). [1800s?] ID: A-018-004. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
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