Among these species individuals ranged in size from that of a turkey to larger than an ostrich. Some stood as tall as 3 metres 10 feet and weighed as much as 250 kg about 550 pounds. The two largest species d. The name moa came from a polynesian word for fowl. The two largest species dinornis robustus and dinornis novaezelandiae reached about 36 m 12 ft in height with neck outstretched and weighed about 230 kg 510 lb. Estimates of the moa population when polynesians settled new zealand circa 1280 vary between 58000 to c.
The scientific name of the giant moa dinornis robustus translates to robust strange bird and the species was the largest of at least nine moa bird species that roamed new zealands. Moa were nine species in six genera of now extinct flightless birds endemic to new zealand. Today moa can refer to chickens in many polynesian cultures. Giant moa were the largest herbivore in prehistoric south island terrestrial ecosystems. They were the dominant herbivores in the new zealand forest ecosystem. Ten species of varying sizes are known with the largest species the giant moa dinornis robustus and dinornis novaezelandiae reaching about 3 m 10 ft in height and about 250 kg 550 lb in weight.
South island giant moa may have been the tallest birds known but the largest of the extinct elephantbird species of madagascar was heavier possibly up to 340 kg. The two above species weighed about 230 kg 510 lb. Novaezelandiae had a height of about 36 m 12 ft weight varied between species.
Gallery of Giant Moa Height Weight
