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Moa

Moa were an extinct group of flightless birds native to New Zealand and classified in the order Dinornithiformes.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Moa were an extinct group of flightless birds native to New Zealand, classified in the order Dinornithiformes. They ranged from turkey-sized forms to giant species that stood about 3.6 metres tall. All species disappeared after human settlement of New Zealand, most likely due to hunting and habitat change.

Classification and evolution

Moa belong to the extinct order Dinornithiformes and are part of the ratite group of flightless birds. Genetic comparisons place their closest living relatives among the flighted tinamous of South America.

Physical characteristics

Moa varied greatly in size, from smaller species roughly comparable to a turkey to giant forms among the tallest birds known. The largest species reached about 3.6 metres tall and weighed around 230 kilograms. They were fully flightless and had adapted to life on the ground.

Habitat and ecology

Moa were endemic to New Zealand and lived on the main islands and some surrounding islands. They fed on plant material such as leaves, twigs, shrubs, grasses, and ferns.

Extinction

Moa disappeared relatively soon after human settlement of New Zealand, with estimates commonly placing extinction around 500–600 years ago. Overhunting is the leading explanation, often alongside habitat disturbance.

Key facts

  • Moa were large, flightless birds that lived only in New Zealand.
  • They are classified as ratites in the order Dinornithiformes.
  • Commonly cited accounts recognize nine species in six genera.
  • The largest moa species reached about 3.6 metres tall and roughly 230 kilograms.
  • Moa became extinct about 500–600 years ago, after humans arrived in New Zealand.
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Canadian context

Moa are relevant to Canadian readers mainly through museum collections, paleontology, and comparative studies of extinct birds and island extinctions.

Frequently asked questions

What is a moa?
A moa is an extinct flightless bird from New Zealand belonging to the order Dinornithiformes.
How big was the largest moa?
The largest species reached about 3.6 metres tall and weighed around 230 kilograms.
How many moa species were there?
Commonly cited accounts describe nine species in six genera, though some sources use different totals.
When did moa go extinct?
They became extinct roughly 500–600 years ago, after humans settled New Zealand.
What caused moa extinction?
Human hunting is the main cause identified in most sources, with habitat change also considered important.
What were moa related to?
Moa are ratites and are most closely related to tinamous among living birds.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/moa
    Supports: Moa as extinct ostrichlike flightless birds native to New Zealand; general description and classification.
  2. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand — https://teara.govt.nz/mi/moa
    Supports: Number of species, ratite classification, closest living relatives, habitat in New Zealand, and extinction timing.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moa
    Supports: General overview including extinction timing, number of species, and overhunting as a cause.
  4. Science — https://www.science.org/content/article/why-did-new-zealands-moas-go-extinct
    Supports: Human settlement timing and evidence supporting humans as the main cause of extinction.
  5. National Museum of Ireland — https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Collection/Documentation-Discoveries/Artefact/An-Extinct-moa-Bird-from-New-Zealand/0ac1baaa-1003-49a0-8a03-b780f06a5366
    Supports: Moa as extinct flightless birds, ratite classification, and extinction due to hunting and habitat change.