Dinornithiformes

Dinornithiformes is an extinct order of flightless birds that were endemic to New Zealand. Commonly known as moa, these birds were the largest birds that ever lived, with some species reaching heights of up to 3.6 meters (12 feet). Moa were characterized by their stout legs, long necks, and powerful beaks, and they lacked any vestige of wings. They occupied a variety of ecological niches in New Zealand, with different species adapted to different environments ranging from forests to grasslands.

The fossil record indicates that moa diversified into at least ten distinct species, belonging to two families. Their diet consisted primarily of plants, including leaves, fruits, and seeds, which they processed with the help of gastroliths, or gizzard stones. Moa reproduction involved laying very large eggs, with some exceeding 24 centimeters (9.4 inches) in length.

The extinction of the moa is attributed primarily to human predation following the arrival of the Māori people in New Zealand around 700 years ago. Overhunting, coupled with habitat destruction, led to their rapid decline. The last moa are believed to have disappeared by the 15th century. Their remains, including bones, eggs, and fossilized footprints, are important for understanding New Zealand's prehistoric avifauna and the impact of human settlement.