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Story: Moa

Upland moa in correct stance

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Upland moa in correct stance

It is now believed that moa did not carry their head high, but at about the same height as their back. They were long rather than tall, with a foreback that sloped downwards and a relatively short neck. Moa often needed to travel in heavily bushed areas, where an upright neck and head would have been an impediment.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_B.017875

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How to cite this page

Trevor H. Worthy, Moa – Appearance and breeding, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11380/upland-moa-in-correct-stance (accessed 8 June 2026).

Story by Trevor H. Worthy, published 1 March 2009.