Moa Bird Skull Replica

Description

Moa Bird Skull Replica measures 6.5x3x3 inches. Moa Bird Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home decor skull, or office decor skull. Dinornis novaezealandiae is the scientific name.

Moa birds or Dinornis novaezealandiae were a family of eleven species of flightless birds that were only found within New Zealand. They were the dominant plant-eater in New Zealand’s forests and only had one predator, Haast’s Eagle. Pachyornis elephantopus Giant Bird of South Island, New Zealand.

Moa bird or Dinornis novaezealandiae skeletons were traditionally reconstructed in an upright position to create impressive height, analysis of their vertebral articulation indicates that they probably carried their heads forward, in the manner of a kiwi. The spine was attached to the rear of the head rather than the base, indicating the horizontal alignment. This would have allowed Moa bird or Dinornis novaezealandiae to graze on low-elevation vegetation, while being able to lift their heads and browse trees when necessary. This has resulted in a reconsideration of the height of larger Moa.

Although no records survive of what sounds the Moa bird or Dinornis novaezealandiae made, some idea of their calls can be gained from fossil evidence. The trachea of moa were supported by many small rings of bone known as tracheal rings. Excavation of these rings from articulated skeletons has shown that at least two moa genera (Euryapteryx and Emeus) exhibited tracheal elongation, that is, their trachea were up to 1 m (3 ft) long and formed a large loop within the body cavity. They are the only ratites known to exhibit this feature, which is also present in several other bird groups, including swans, cranes, and guinea fowl. The feature is associated with deep, resonant vocalisations that can travel long distances.

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