Moa (dinornis robustus)

Hello friends !. My next sculpture is a species that I had yet to do. It is the main food of an impressive winged predator, the Haast´s eagle. Just as it was extinguished by the arrival of man in New Zealand and the continued hunting of this peaceful animal, around 1400. It is the giant moa (dinornis robustus), almost three meters high and without wings...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

First steps in the modeling of the figure. With the usual wire skeleton and on top modeling with thermosetting putty. I'm going to make the figure with a different posture than what is usually seen in images. He will be walking to the constant search for food with the neck down, with a typical posture to which his kiwi relative usually has...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I enjoy your species choice as well as that "kiwi" posture. It is easily a tempation to use a pose that highlights its size but I think in this hobby, something that looks more natural and part of the routine of the animal, something more plausible. When I was a boy, an adulte ostrich ran away from the circus and it crossed almost my way, very close where I was playing. I will never forget it, I was really absolutely impressed with what was in front of my eyes. I even forgot to be afraid of it. Considering the size of a moa, I would love to know what could be our reaction when next to it.

Is very good idea, I would like have one Moa in my collection.

The figure of the moa is already modeled and it seems that it has had an accident when experimenting with the temperature of the oven, as if it were a turkey. In the end it has been perfect, even harder and more consistent than normal and without losing any detail. I have added a base to improve its stability ...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

This piece and the step bison are beautiful. May I link to this thread and post two or three images to the Dinosaur Toy Forum? I think many people there will be interested in these.

I am totally in love with this model !!!

But, uuuuh ! What a scary, invasive species is modern man !!!!!

Wonderful wonderful
The choice is perfect , the result of the sculpt is beautiful ! Well done Miguel
How will be the final result with the base ? Do you plan to make it fixed with the model, or other way ?

Roger wrote:

I enjoy your species choice as well as that "kiwi" posture. It is easily a tempation to use a pose that highlights its size but I think in this hobby, something that looks more natural and part of the routine of the animal, something more plausible. When I was a boy, an adulte ostrich ran away from the circus and it crossed almost my way, very close where I was playing. I will never forget it, I was really absolutely impressed with what was in front of my eyes. I even forgot to be afraid of it. Considering the size of a moa, I would love to know what could be our reaction when next to it.

Thank you Roger and Fernando ! This species and its relationship with its direct predator, the haast's eagle, like that of the lions and zebras in the African savanna, always impressed me. Adding that they were giant species. I have represented it from this position because it is not so common. You tend to do it with your head up and your daily life I guess it would be constantly looking for food ...

halichoeres wrote:

This piece and the step bison are beautiful. May I link to this thread and post two or three images to the Dinosaur Toy Forum? I think many people there will be interested in these.

Of course halichoeres, you can put these figures in DTF. I'm glad you liked my representation of these extinct species.

Thank you Susanne and Kosta !. You're right, Susanne. The human species is the most invasive and destructive of all . The wonder that it would be that the moa and haast's eagle were still among us.

Yes Kosta, the figure will be fixed on a base to improve its stability

Last photos of the figure of the moa (dinornis robustus) once painted and fixed to its base. I have given different nuances to the plumage referring to that of its closest living relatives, the emus.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

And also a photo with its main predator (haast´s eagle) that I also did not too long ago. It is assumed that with the extinction of the moa by humans. the haast's eagle also became extinct when it had no food.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Excellent, thank you! I hope these are very successful :)

And now, with your great paint job, it looks awesome
I also like the base.. very nice green color :)

Phantastic figure

I really find it something sensational! Just as Tim, I hope it is enough successful to motivate you to continue this thematic.

A wonderful feathered monster!

Thank you so much dear friends !

I have finally been able to paint a few copies of the giant moa (dinornis giganteus). Hopefully a small number like this would have survived the extinction and be able to recover this wonderful species!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That picture of the twins is magical!

Awesome model Miguel! It fits perfectly with the Haast Well done

Miguel, it is very exciting to see this sculpture! For years, a giant moa in this sort of pose has been at the top of my list of things I want to try myself! Even if it doesn't show off the height of the bird, this posture seems most natural for a huge bird moving through the forest or browsing. When I saw you were doing a Haast's eagle, I wondered if you would be making your own moa and I'm glad you have- the style blends well with the eagle. I'll look forward to trying my hand at one, and in the mean time enjoy your photos.

(The eagle turned out beautifully too, by the way).

Thank you Roger and Stijn !

Well Andy, you are right with the position of the moa, always represent him with his head raised (perhaps to give more sensations of enormous) but the logical thing is that he was most of the time looking for food with his head down, to feed his impressive body. I'm glad you like my interpretation of these two species