Birds
and Plants of Kauai:
Moa - Red Jungle Fowl
by Linda Pascatore on 31 October 2006
The Moa, or Red Junglefowl, is the ancestor of all domesticated
chickens, according to DNA studies. The bird originated in Asia,
likely in Thailand, where it was first domesticated. Japanese researchers
have compared DNA and found that every breed of domesticated chickens
descended from these Red Junglefowl which they now believe were
first domesticated 8,000 years ago. The first Polynesians brought
the Moa with them to Hawaii. In their voyaging canoes, they carried
a package of domesticated animals, including pigs and chickens;
and food plants, including taro, breadfruit, sweet potato, and more.
Canoe Plants Website:
http://www.canoeplants.com/index.html
The Moa, or Gallus gallus, resembles the domestic chicken. However,
there is less variation in the species. Males are 30 inches long,
bright reddish colored, and have sickle-shaped tails and red wattles.
They have long arching tail feathers that are black with some blue,
purple and green sheen. Long gold and bronze feathers form a “cape”
over the back of the bird. During breeding, the male Moa announces
himself with the familiar “cock-a-doodle-doo”. They
use the spurs on their lower legs to fight competitors. Females
are reddish brown and about 17 inches long. They have duller coloring
and more camouflaged to protect their young.
Moas usually fly only to escape danger, or to get to their roosts
in trees where they spend the night. Females nest on the ground.
They usually lay almost a dozen eggs, which hatch after 18 to 20
days. The eggs are light tan in color with dark yokes and thick
membranes. They are smaller than domesticated chicken eggs and delicious.
Newborns are
up and walking soon after birth, are fully feathered by 4 or 5 weeks,
and can reproduce by five months. They may live up to ten years.
They eat fruit, worms, seeds or grain, and insects, including centipedes.
The Moa or Red Junglefowl is a very common sight on Kauai. We see
Moas, as well as other varieties of chickens, in many Kauai locations.
Moas have interbred with domestic varieties. The books say that
true Moas are found primarily in the uplands like Kokee. However,
we see many Moa-like chickens throughout Hanapepe Valley, at Salt
Pond Beach, and at many other nearby locations.
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