The Haast's eagle was the largest and most powerful eagle that ever lived. And because its New Zealand home didn't host any land predators, it is the only eagle ever to have been the top predator in its habitat-a role usually held by big cats or other mammals. So strong and vicious that it almost seems mythical, the Haast's eagle preyed upon animals 15 times its own size and had no natural enemies until humans entered its world.
Winging It: The Haast's eagle's wings were short for a bird its size. This allowed it to maneuver in the forest areas where it hunted. Without any rivals, the eagle could eat its prey on the ground, so it didn't need large wings like birds of prey that carry their kill to safety in the treetops.
Terrifying Talons: The Haast's eagle's sharp talons were the length of a tiger's claws and could stab more than an inch deep into its victim's flesh. They could even puncture bones!
May I have Some Moa?[]
The Haast's eagle was the only predator fierce enough to take on a giant moa.
When hunting, the Haast's eagle probably perched on a high branch and waited for a likely victim-such as a moa, a large flightless bird-to pass by. When a moa was below it, the eagle would dive at speeds of up to 50 mph. After knocking its victim off its feet, the eagle used its talons to pierce the moa's hide, crushing its bones. The eagle would then use its long beak to tear open the moa carcass and pull out its flesh and organs.
Carry the Weight: Over time, the Haast's eagle had the fastest increase in average weight of any vertebrate in history. This was probably due to the large size of its prey and the lack of competition from other large predators.
Haast's vs Humans: The arrival of humans in New Zealand played a big role in causing the Haast's eagle to die off. People destroyed its habitat and hunted its main food source (the moa) to extinction. The eagle was probably also a target for hunters.
Timeline[]
The Haast's eagle lived from about 1 million to 500 years ago, during the Quaternary Period.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- As mentioned on the card, this eagle was one of the only known predators of the Giant Moa.
- It's also mentioned on the moa's card, being called by it's other common name, the Harpagornis.
- The Haast's eagle is featured in Man & Beast on Monster Mania 97.