HOME | DD

Description

This illustration depicts the likely scenario that lead to a real fossil.

Species: Haast's eagle Hieraaetus moorei hunting a South Island giant moa Dinornis robustus (based on female individuals of both species).

Fossil: Several examples of moa pelvis found with holes that match up with an eagle's talons.

Age: Holocene

Location: North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand.

Stats: Moa: +250 kg and 3.6 m reach (tallest known bird). Eagle: 15 kg. Relatively small wingspan (2.6 m) for the size indicates it was a forest-dwelling species, like harpy eagles. Hallux talon up to 11 cm long.

Extra info: The eagle's method of attack on such large prey involved flying in fast and disabling the moa from behind. A bite to the back of the head would have been the killing blow.

References: www.researchgate.net/figure/Pe…

www.researchgate.net/figure/Ri…

Moas have been covered in a previous post: Wingless giants - Moa

Description

This illustration depicts the likely scenario that lead to a real fossil.

Species: Haast's eagle Hieraaetus moorei hunting a South Island giant moa Dinornis robustus (based on female individuals of both species).

Fossil: Several examples of moa pelvis found with holes that match up with an eagle's talons.

Age: Holocene

Location: North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand.

Stats: Moa: +250 kg and 3.6 m reach (tallest known bird). Eagle: 15 kg. Relatively small wingspan (2.6 m) for the size indicates it was a forest-dwelling species, like harpy eagles. Hallux talon up to 11 cm long.

Extra info: The eagle's method of attack on such large prey involved flying in fast and disabling the moa from behind. A bite to the back of the head would have been the killing blow.

References: www.researchgate.net/figure/Pe…

www.researchgate.net/figure/Ri…

Moas have been covered in a previous post: Wingless giants - Moa