Ancient DNA used to map extinct bird's colors

The researchers retrieved ancient DNA from four species of New Zealand's extinct Moa from feathers found in caves and rock shelters and believed to be at least 2,500 years old.

The native Moa — a flightless, powerfully built forager that stood over 8 feet (2.50 meters) tall and weighed 550 pounds (250 kilograms) — ranged widely in southern New Zealand before the arrival of man.

Using DNA analysis, scientists from New Zealand's Landcare Research and Australia's Adelaide University reconstructed the mainly plain brown plumage of the stout legged Moa, heavy-footed Moa, upland Moa and South Island giant Moa.

“Some had white-tipped feathers to create a speckled appearance” that they used as camouflage, said researcher Nicolas Rawlence from the university's Australian Center for Ancient DNA.

The findings were published Wednesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London.

A co-author of the study, Jamie Wood of Landcare Research, said it is likely that the Moa's drab color was to avoid predation by the extinct indigenous Haast's eagle, once the biggest and most powerful eagle in the world.

The study notes that the drab camouflage plumage of several other New Zealand native birds, including the flightless Kiwi and flightless nocturnal Kakapo parrot, supports this concept.

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