Moa-nalo
The Moa-nalo was a genus of extinct flightless ducks that were native to the Hawaiian Islands. They were large, goose-like birds with a blunt, powerful bill that was used to shear off vegetation.
The name "Moa-nalo" means "lost fowl" in the Hawaiian language.
The Moa-nalo went extinct around 1500 AD, shortly after the arrival of the Polynesians. The extinction was due to a combination of overhunting and habitat destruction.
The Moa-nalo is a poignant example of the devastating impact of introduced species and human activity on island ecosystems.
Moa-nalo
Classification
Aves > Anseriformes > Anatidae > Thambetochen > T. chauliodous
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
1 - 1.5 feet
(0.3 - 0.5 m)
Average Weight
5 - 10 lbs
(2.3 - 4.5 kg)
Average Life Span
10 - 15 years
Gestation Period
28 - 30 days
Did You Know?
The Moa-nalo were a group of large, flightless ducks native to Hawaii.
They went extinct after the arrival of humans, likely due to hunting and habitat loss.
Unlike modern ducks, Moa-nalo had strong legs and reduced wings, adapted for a terrestrial lifestyle.
Their name translates to "lost fowl" in Hawaiian.
Fossils indicate there were several species of Moa-nalo, varying in size.
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