The largest species of moa was probably the South Island giant moa, Dinornis robustus. This species, along with the North Island moa (Dinornis novaezealandiae) used to be known as Dinornis giganteus. Its bones are commonly found in archaeological middens (ancient rubbish sites). This reconstruction shows that these moa were quite slender, with a flattened skull and beak.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Artwork by Paul Martinson
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou