Editing Moa (section)

==Description==
[[File:Moa size comparison.png|thumb|left|300px|Size comparison between four moa species and a 1.8 m tall [[human]]. From left to right: ''[[Megalapteryx didinus]]'', ''[[Dinornis robustus]]'' (female size), ''[[Anomalopteryx didiformis]]'', and ''[[Pachyornis elephantopus]]'']]

Moa skeletons were traditionally reconstructed in an upright position to create impressive height, but analysis of their vertebral articulations indicates that they probably carried their heads forward,<ref name="WH">Worthy & Holdaway (2002)</ref> in the manner of a [[Kiwi (bird)|kiwi]]. The spine was attached to the rear of the head rather than the base, indicating the horizontal alignment. This would have let them graze on low 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. However, Māori [[rock art]] depicts moa or moa-like birds (likely [[geese]] or [[adzebill]]s) with necks upright, indicating that moa were capable of assuming both neck postures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cave drawing of a moa |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13655/cave-drawing-of-moa |website=Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=Te Ara|last1=Schoon |first1=Theo }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Te Manunui Rock Art Site |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7826 |website=[[Heritage New Zealand]] }}</ref>

No records survive of what sounds moa made, though some idea of their [[Bird vocalization|calls]] can be gained from fossil evidence. The [[Vertebrate trachea|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 {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=off}} long and formed a large loop within the body cavity.<ref name="WH" /> They are the only ratites known to exhibit this feature, which is also present in several other bird groups, including [[swan]]s, [[Crane (bird)|cranes]], and [[guinea fowl]]. The feature is associated with deep resonant vocalisations that can travel long distances.{{Clear}}