What caused the extinction moa bird?

Over-hunting by the early Polynesion settlers (Maori) is considered the main cause of extinction of moa birds that occurred between 1280 and 1300 AD. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the population of moa birds rapidly declined due to unrestricted hunting by humans for their meat and feathers. The moas were large, flightless birds and thus, could not escape the reach of humans. Moreover, the Polynesians also practiced slash and burn agriculture, which destroyed the natural habitats of the moas, further contributing to their decline. As the hunting of moas outpaced their reproduction rates, the species eventually went extinct within a relatively short period of time.