Definition & Meaning of "moa"

What was a "moa"?

Moa was a remarkable, large, flightless bird that once inhabited the forests and grasslands of New Zealand. Belonging to the extinct ratite family, these avian giants stood as tall as 3.6 meters (12 feet) and weighed up to 230 kilograms (510 pounds), making them one of the largest birds to have ever existed. Moa possessed long necks, powerful legs, and vestigial wings, which served no purpose for flight. They had unique adaptations such as a flat, pointed beak and large, forward-facing eyes, enabling them to browse foliage and detect potential threats in their environment. Unfortunately, these fascinating creatures met their demise around the 15th century due to human activities and predation by introduced mammals, becoming a symbol of New Zealand's extinct avian fauna.