The bird that shared a bone structure with the dodo

Nature · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Despite being an entirely different species, the bush moa was once linked to the dodo by its anatomy. This small, forest-dwelling bird of New Zealand provides a unique window into how island ecosystems produce distinct evolutionary paths for flightless giants.

The bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis), also known as the little bush moa or moariki, was the smallest species of moa. Standing approximately 1.3 metres tall and weighing between 30 and 49 kilograms, it was roughly the size of a large turkey. Across various regions of the South Island and North Island of New Zealand, this species lived within scrublands, southern beech forests with broad leaves, and thick lowland conifer woods.

Its classification carries an interesting historical footnote: in 1844, Richard Owen first described the species as Dinornis didiformis. He chose the name 'didiformis' specifically because the shape and size of its tarsometatarsus—a bone in the lower leg—bore a striking resemblance to that of the dodo (Didus ineptus). Anatomically, these birds shared several unique features, including a sternum without a keel and a distinctive palate. Their sturdy, sharp-edged beaks were adapted for consuming tough plant materials like twigs, with coprolites revealing that ferns were a primary dietary staple.

The bush moa faced a rapid decline following the arrival of Māori people and Polynesian dogs approximately 500 to 600 years ago. While native predators like the Haast's eagle existed, human-driven changes led to its extinction alongside other native wildlife. Today, the species lives on through science; in a significant genetic milestone, Harvard University researchers assembled a nearly complete genome from toe bones. This data is being used to explore potential future resurrection, likely using the emu as a biological proxy for the process.

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