Moa the large extinct bird (ancestor of the kiwi)
Moa the large extinct bird (ancestor of the kiwi)

Moa

The Moa is a large flightless bird extinct long ago and is the ancestor of the kiwi. It is considered one of the largest species at that time as it reaches about 4m in height and weigh over 230kg. These animals were the dominant creatures in New Zealand forest eating plants, leaves and scrubs and when the Maori people came, their population became to decline and soon died out because of the European Settlement and the over-hunting by the Maori people.



General Statistics
Level
Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Struthioniformes
Family
Dinornithidae


Diagram of a Moa
Diagram of a Moa

Bibliography

1. Christchruch City Libraries . (2010). Retrieved 6 23, 2012, from NZ birds and animals: http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Kids/NZBirdsAnimals/Moa/

2. Wikipedia. (2012, 6 12). Retrieved 6 23, 2012, from Moa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moa

3. Animal Planet. (2012). Retrieved 6 23, 2012, from Moa: http://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/mao-info.htm