Prehistoric Earth: A Natural History Wiki
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The South Island giant moa is a member of the moa family. It was a ratite and a member of the order Dinornithiformes. The Dinornithiformes are flightless birds with a sternum without a keel. They also have a distinctive palate.

In Series 4 episode, "The End of Eden", a pair of South Island Giant Moas were brought to the park from Holocene New Zealand, 850 years ago.

Facts[]

Era & Discovery[]

The South Island Giant Moa lived in New Zealand during the Late Pleistocene to the Late Holocene 10,000 to 600 years ago where it lived alongside the Haast's Eagle. They were one of the eleven species of moa that patroled New Zealand's wilderness. The South Island Giant Moa became extinct after Māori settlers arrived on the island and started hunting them along with their cousins.

Physical Attributes[]

The South Island Giant Moa stood 3.6 metres height and weighed 230 kilograms, making them the largest of the moas and the tallest bird ever to walk the Earth.

Dinornis robustus, South Island Giant Moa - three quarter view on black YORYM 2004 20

South Island Giant Moa skeleton

Like all moas, the South Island Giant Moa did not have wingbones and were built to nest on the ground. Their body size and long necks made this moa New Zealand's equivalent of a modern day Giraffe in Africa. However despite their large size, South Island Giant Moas were vulnerable to predators such as the Haast's Eagle who had tiger claw size talons that would crash it's neck.

Behavior & Traits[]

The South Island Giant Moa was a solitary bird and would get together only during the mating season.

Journal Entry[]

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • The South Island Giant Moa is the tallest bird brought to the park.
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