The moa was a large, flightless bird native to New Zealand. It belonged to the order Palaeognathae and existed during the late Quaternary period. Moas varied in size, with some species standing over 3 meters tall. They were herbivores, primarily feeding on leaves, fruits, and seeds. Moas became extinct around the 15th century, likely due to overhunting by the Māori people and habitat destruction. Their extinction had significant ecological impacts, as they played a crucial role in their ecosystem. Today, the moa is often studied in the context of conservation and the effects of human activity on wildlife.