There was a variety of physical characteristics among moa. Top left: members of the Pachyornis genus were heavy birds with a sharp bill. Top right: the little bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis) was small and slender, with a stout bill. Middle right: the upland moa (Megalapteryx didinus) was slender and athletic, with long toes and a long beak. These were probably adaptations to its mountain environment. Middle left: the family of blunt-billed moa which included the genera Emeus and Euryapteryx were very squat with short legs. Bottom: the giant moa of the Dinornis genus were tall and relatively slender, with broad, flattened heads.
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Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Artwork by Bruce Mahalski
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