New Zealand's giant flightless bird
New Zealand’s largest birds probably became extinct within one hundred years of humans first arriving in New Zealand, around 1300 A.D.. However, there were unsubstantiated sightings of moa by whalers and sealers into the 18th and even 19th centuries. Moa were a family of eleven species of flightless birds that were only found within New Zealand. The largest species grew up to 3.7 m (12 ft) tall and weight up to 230 kg (510 lb) – no wonder they were hunted by Maori! They were the only wingless birds known to have existed – even their cousin the flightless kiwi still has little vestigial wings hidden under its feathers. Prior to their extinction, they were the dominant plant-eater in New Zealand’s forests and only had one predator, Haast’s Eagle; the largest eagle ever known to exist and also the victim of extinction following the demise of the moa to hunting by Maori.
Photo by Sciencemag.org
Kiwi were long regarded as the closest relative to the moa, but recent studies suggest that either the Australia emu and cassowary or tinamous birds from South America are likely the closest cousins. Female moa grew considerably larger than their mates and weighed almost three times as much, in some cases. Although most images of reconstructed moa skeletons or artists’ impressions of the birds show them standing upright, it is likely that they actually moved along with their head out in front, just like a kiwi does. Despite almost always being portrayed as giants, some species of Moa were actually significantly smaller, much shorter than the height of a person, and some possibly as small as chickens!
Of course, completely lacking wings the question has been asked “how did the moa get to the islands of New Zealand”. It’s thought most likely that moa were already roaming New Zealand prior to it breaking away from the super-continent of Gondwana about 80 million year ago.
Many moa bones, eggs (including over 30 whole eggs), feathers, dehydrated skin and nesting materials have been found from a number of caves and other locations around New Zealand, in particular from the dry Central Otago region.
Username: Bongsong Published on 2024-10-16 02:49:46 ID NUMBER: 123437
A medium to large, adaptable, long-lived tree with a wide, spreading crown which may reach a height of 40-60 feet on favorable sites. Produces acorns which are utilized by a wide variety of wildlife.
A very tall shrub to small tree native to western Asia. Slightly larger in stature than Amur maple, but with slightly duller foilage and yellowish fall color. Attractive rosy-red seds. The largest tree in North Dakota is 24 feet tall with a canopy spread of 27 feet.
A medium to large tree with spreading branches forming a variably rounded to informally spreading crown. A fast-growing tree subject to iron and manganese chlorosis on high PH soils which may cause dieback or eventual death. Often called soft maple because the wood is the softest of the maples used for lumber. Native to Minnesota, the largest tree in North Dakota is 66 feet tall with a canopy spread of 72 feet.
A large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree native to northern Asia which may reach 15-20 feet in height and spread. Noted for its attractive autumn color of yellow, orange, or red.
Medium-sized tree native to Europe, with a strikingly dense pyramidal to rounded crown. Desirable specimen tree in the landscape. The flowers are highly fragrant and attractive to bees. The largest tree in North Dakota is 35 feet tall with a canopy spread of 32 feet.
A medium to large tree native east of the Missouri River in North Dakota. Desirable as a landscape tree for its large stature, shade and aromatic flowers. Fruit with attached pale-green bract, gives tree a two-tone appearance in late summer. The largest tree in North Daktoa is 75 feet tall with a canopy spready of 64 feet.
A medium to large spreading tree reaching 45 to 75 feet in height on good sites, adaptable to variable soil conditions. Foliage is pinnately compound, fruit is a long brown pod. Produces
hardy seedlings of the variety inermis, which are mostly thornless. Climatic zones 4 and warmer. Not hardy in zone 3. Native to the central and eastern U.S.
Broadly rounded, low-branched tree with wide-spreading, horizontal branches which are densely set This species performs well in North Dakota. Attractive white flowers and red fruit, thorny stems.
A medium to large tree with a spreading crown reaching a height of 35-55 feet. Fruit is a small dark berry utilized by wildlife. It is native to the eastern and midwestern United States.
A very hardy, fast growing tree with brittle wood which is subject to breakage. Extremely susceptible to insect, disease, and herbicide damage, which makes it an undesirable tree. Often confused with Chinese elm which is not hardy in North Dakota. The largest tree in North Dakota is 60 feet tall with a canopy spread of 55 feet.
The state tree of North Dakota. A large vase-shaped ree adapted to a wide variety of sites. No longer recommended because of its susceptibility to Dutch Elm Disease. This may change as
resistance cultivars become known. The largest tree in North Dakota is 62 feet tall with a canopy spread of 74 feet.
A small to medium sized, roundheaded tree reaching a height of 15 to 25 feet. It is native from northeastern Asia to northern China. Siberian crabapple is the hardiest species of the Malus genus and produces white flowers.
A variable seed propagated strain of crabapple reaching 15 to 25 feet in height and width, variable fruit size, foliage green to red in color. Excellent wildlife plant.
Cultivar: `MIDWEST' MANCHURIAN CRABAPPLE - a hardy, uniform seed propagated selection from USDA Bismarck, PMC. A small to medium sized, roundheaded tree reaching a height of 15 to 25 feet. It is native from northeastern Asia to northern China. White flowers appear in May followed by the 1/4' to 1/2' yellow or red fruits in October.
has very large dark purple fruit that is packed with flavor as crabs go. These apples make great jellies and some add the juice to ciders as a secret ingredient. Fruit is easy for wildlife to get to as this crab will drop its fruit.
Selection from South Dakota State University. A large, vigorous, cottonless male tree to 70 feet in height on favorable sites, spreading crown in open areas but with a tall, central trunk when crowded. Selected for leaf rust resistance.
A large spreading tree reaching 60 to 90 feet in height and 40 to 60 feet in spread. This native specie occurs along waterways and wet meadows throughout the Plains states. Greater drought and alkalinity tolerance than many of the euramericana hybrid poplar cultivars. Produces seed in tufts of "cotton".
A medium to large szed tree native to the eastern United States, considered borderline hardy for most of North Dakota except the southeastern quarter. An attractive tree with "orchidlike" flowers. Further east, catalpa can become a very large tree, but in North Dakota it rarely exceeds 40 feet.
A medium sized spreading tree reaching 25 to 40 feet in height and spread on favorable sites. Leaves are palmately compound, fruit is an inedible nut produced in a husk which splits at maturity.
