Haast's eagle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:58, 7 November 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use New Zealand English Template:Speciesbox

Haast's eagle (Hieraaetus moorei) is an extinct species of eagle that lived in the South Island of New Zealand, commonly accepted to be the Script error: No such module "Lang". of Māori mythology.^[1] It is the largest eagle known to have existed, with an estimated weight of Template:Convert, compared to the next-largest and extant harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), at up to Template:Convert.^[2] Its massive size is explained as an evolutionary response to the size of its prey—the flightless moa—the largest of which could weigh Template:Convert. Haast's eagle became extinct around 1445, following the arrival of the Māori, who hunted moa to extinction, introduced the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), and destroyed large tracts of forest by fire.^[3]

Taxonomy

Haast's eagle was first scientifically described by Julius von Haast in 1871 from remains discovered by the Canterbury Museum taxidermist, Frederick Richardson Fuller,^[4]^[5]^[6] in a former marsh.^[7] Haast named the eagle Harpagornis moorei after George Henry Moore, the owner of the Glenmark Estate, where the bones of the bird were found.^[8] The genus name was from the Greek harpax, meaning "grappling hook", and ornis, meaning "bird".^[9] DNA analysis later showed that this bird is related most closely to the much smaller little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) as well as the booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) and not, as previously thought, to the large wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax).^[10]^[11] Harpagornis moorei was therefore reclassified as Hieraaetus moorei.^[9]

H. moorei is estimated to have diverged from these smaller eagles as recently as 1.8 million to 700,000 years ago.^[12] If this estimate is correct, its increase in weight by ten to fifteen times is an exceptionally rapid weight increase.^[13] The suggested increase in the average weight of Haast's eagle over that period would therefore represent the largest, fastest evolutionary increase in average weight of any known vertebrate species.^[14] This was made possible in part by the presence of large prey and the absence of competition from other large predators, an example of ecological release and island gigantism.^[15] A recent mitochondrial DNA study found it to be more closely related to the little eagle than the booted eagle, with an estimated divergence from the little eagle around 2.2 million years ago.^[16]^[2] It was placed in the genus Aquila by recent taxonomists.^[17]

Description

File:Giant Haasts eagle attacking New Zealand moa.jpg

Haast's eagle attacking moa

Haast's eagle was one of the largest known true raptors.^[18] In length and weight, it was even larger than the largest living vulture (the Andean condor).^[19] Another giant bird (not actually an eagle save for in name) more recently and scantily described from the fossil record, the Woodward's eagle, which resided in North America,^[20] rivaled the Haast's in at least the aspect of total length.^[21] Female eagles were larger than males.^[22] Most estimates place the female Haast's eagles in the range of Template:Convert and males around Template:Convert.^[23]^[24] A comparison with living eagles of the Australasian region resulted in estimated masses in Haast's eagles of Template:Convert for males and Template:Convert for females.^[23] One source estimates that the largest females could have weighed more than Template:Convert.^[25] The largest extant eagles, none of which are verified to exceed Template:Convert in a wild state, are about forty percent smaller in body size than Haast's eagles.^[26]

File:Harpagornis claw vs eagle.png

Foot bones of Haast's eagle (top) and those of its closest living relative, the little eagle

It had a relatively short wingspan for its size. It is estimated that the grown female typically spanned up to Template:Convert, possibly up to Template:Convert in a few cases.^[27]^[28] This wingspan is broadly similar to the larger range of female size in some extant eagles: the wedge-tailed eagle (A. audax), golden eagle (A. chrysaetos), martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) are all known to exceed Template:Convert in wingspan. Several of the largest extant Old World vultures, if not in mean mass or other linear measurements, probably exceed Haast's eagle in average wingspan as well.^[26]^[29] Haast's eagle's relatively short wingspan has sometimes led to it being incorrectly portrayed as having evolved toward flightlessness, even though evidence strongly suggests that it flew.^[30] Instead, its short and broad wings represents an evolutionary departure from the mode of its ancestors' soaring flight in favour of navigating through a crowded woodland environment. Haast's eagles are likely to have hunted within the dense shrubland and forests of New Zealand, somewhat akin to other forest-dwelling raptors like the goshawks or harpy eagle.^[31]

Some wing and leg remains of Haast's eagles permit direct comparison with living eagles. The harpy eagle, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), and the Steller's sea eagle are the largest and most powerful living eagles, and the first two also have a similarly reduced relative wing-length as an adaptation to forest-dwelling.^[26] A lower mandible from the Haast's eagle measured Template:Convert and the tarsus in several Haast's eagle fossils has been measured from Template:Convert.^[32] In comparison, the largest beaks of eagles today (from the Philippine and the Steller's sea eagle) reach a little more than Template:Convert; and the longest tarsal measurements (from the Philippine and the Papuan eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae) top out around Template:Convert.^[29]^[33]

The talons of the Haast's eagle were similar in length to those of the harpy eagle, with a front-left talon length of Template:Convert and a hallux-claw of possibly up to Template:Convert.^[25] The Philippine eagle might be a particularly appropriate living species to compare with the Haast's eagle, because it too evolved in an insular environment from smaller ancestors (apparently basal snake eagles) to island gigantism in the absence of large carnivorous mammals and other competing predators.^[34] The eagle's talons are similar to modern eagles, suggesting that it used its talons for hunting and not scavenging.^[35] The strong legs and massive flight muscles of these eagles would have enabled the birds to take off with a jumping start from the ground, despite their great weight.^[18] The tail was almost certainly long, in excess of Template:Convert in female specimens, and very broad. This characteristic would compensate for the reduction in wing area by providing additional lift.^[23] Total length is estimated to have been up to Template:Convert in females, with a standing height of approximately Template:Convert tall or perhaps slightly greater.^[25]

Māori cave art depicts the Haast's eagle with a pale head. These Māori rock art drawings can still be found in modern-day South Canterbury near Timaru.^[36] Combined with its vulture-like feeding behaviour, this might suggest it had a bald head, or had shorter feathers on its head than elsewhere on its body.^[37]

Behaviour and ecology

File:Haast's eagle attacking moa at Te Papa.jpg

Model at Te Papa of Haast's eagle attacking a moa

The Haast's eagle predominantly preyed on large, flightless bird species, including the moa, which ultimately led to the species' extinction.^[38]^[39] Moa would be up to fifteen times the weight of the eagle.^[23] Its large beak also could be used to rip into the internal organs of its prey and death then would have been caused by blood loss.^[18] Due to the absence of other large predators or kleptoparasites, a Haast's eagle could easily have monopolised a single large kill over a number of days.^[1] Its prey, the moa, could weigh up to Template:Convert.^[40]

A 2021 analysis showed that, while predatory, the bill of the Haast's eagle was functionally closer to that of the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) than to that of other eagles. This is also supported by historic Māori Cave art which depicts the Haast's eagle being pale-headed.^[41]^[42] It also suggests that it deployed feeding tactics more similar to those of vultures after making a kill, plunging its head into the body cavity to devour the vital organs of its prey. This may have been an adaptation as a result of the bird hunting animals much larger than itself.^[43]

Extinction

Until recent human colonisation that introduced rodents and cats, the only placental land mammals found on the islands of New Zealand were three species of bat.^[44]^[45] Birds occupied or dominated all major niches in the New Zealand animal ecology. Moa were grazers, functionally similar to large ungulates, such as deer or cattle in other habitats, and Haast's eagles were the hunters who filled the same niche as top-niche mammalian predators.^[46]^[40]

One study estimated the total population of Haast's eagle at 3,000 to 4,500 breeding pairs.^[9] Early Māori settlers arrived in New Zealand sometime between AD 1250 and AD 1275,^[47] The Māori preyed heavily on large flightless birds, including all moa species. The added hunting pressure from the Māori led the moa to extinction by around 1440 to 1445.^[3]^[48] Both eagles and Māori likely competed for the same foods.^[18] Unlike the adaptable humans, eagles were dependent on the native medium and large-sized flightless birds, being specialised in hunting them.^[49] The loss of its primary prey caused the Haast's eagle to become extinct at about the same time as its prey.^[18]

Relationship with humans

Some believe that these birds are described in many legends of the Māori mythology, under the names pouākai, Hakawai (or Hōkioi in the North Island).^[50]^[51] According to an account given to Sir George Grey—an early governor of New Zealand—Hōkioi were huge black-and-white birds with yellow-green tinged wings and a red crest. In Māori mythology, Pouākai would prey on and kill humans along with moa,^[19]^[52]^[53] which scientists believe could have been possible if the name relates to the eagle, given the massive size and strength of the bird.^[50]^[22] However, it has also been argued that the "hakawai" and "hōkioi" legends refer to the Austral snipe—in particular the extinct South Island species.^[54]

In popular culture

File:Macraes Haasts Eagle Sculpture 001.JPG

A Haast's eagle statue on Macraes Flat

Artwork depicting Haast's eagle now may be viewed at OceanaGold's Heritage and Art Park at Macraes, Otago, New Zealand.^[55] The sculpture, weighing approximately Template:Convert, standing Template:Convert tall, and depicted with a wingspan of Template:Convert is constructed from stainless steel tube and sheet and was designed and constructed by Mark Hill, a sculptor from Arrowtown, New Zealand.^[56] The Haast's eagle also appeared in a 2003 BBC documentary Monsters We Met.^[57]

There is also a statue depicting the Haast's eagle in Karamea, West Coast. This statue was unveiled by the community and the Ngāti Waewae iwi.^[58]

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Sister project Template:Sister project

Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust
Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Template:Buteoninae Template:Birds of New Zealand Template:Portal bar

Template:Taxonbar

↑ ^a ^b Giant eagle (Aquila moorei), Haast's eagle, or Pouakai Template:Webarchive. Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b ^c Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Template:Cite magazine
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b ^c Worthy, T. & Holdaway, R., The Lost World of the Moa: Prehistoric Life of New Zealand. Indiana University Press (2003), Template:ISBN
↑ ^a ^b ^c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Ladyguin, Alexander (2000). The morphology of the bill apparatus in the Steller's Sea Eagle Template:Webarchive. First Symposium on Steller's and White-tailed Sea Eagles in East Asia pp. 1–10; Ueta, M. & McGrady, M.J. (eds.) Wild Bird Society of Japan
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". text version Template:Webarchive
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[collections.tepapa.govt.nz-1] Giant eagle (Aquila moorei), Haast's eagle, or Pouakai Template:Webarchive. Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 27 October 2010.

[:1-2] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[:0-3] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[4] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[5] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[6] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[Tudge2009-7] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Institute1872-8] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[NZGeo-9] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[10] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Bunce-11] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[12] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[13] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[14] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[PLOSBiology-15] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[16] Template:Cite magazine

[17] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[:2-18] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[auto2-19] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[suarez-20] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[21] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[auto1-22] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Brathwaite-23] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[24] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Worthy-25] Worthy, T. & Holdaway, R., The Lost World of the Moa: Prehistoric Life of New Zealand. Indiana University Press (2003), Template:ISBN

[Wood-26] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[27] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[28] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[RaptorsWorld-29] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[30] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[BBCFactFiles-31] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[32] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[33] Ladyguin, Alexander (2000). The morphology of the bill apparatus in the Steller's Sea Eagle Template:Webarchive. First Symposium on Steller's and White-tailed Sea Eagles in East Asia pp. 1–10; Ueta, M. & McGrady, M.J. (eds.) Wild Bird Society of Japan

[34] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[35] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[36] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[37] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[38] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[39] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[auto-40] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[41] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[42] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[43] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[44] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[45] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[46] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[47] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[48] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[49] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[rodgers-50] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[51] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[52] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[53] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Miskelly-54] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[55] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[56] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". text version Template:Webarchive

[57] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[58] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 ==Taxonomy==
-Haast's eagle was first scientifically described by [[Julius von Haast]] in 1871 from remains discovered by the [[Canterbury Museum, Christchurch|Canterbury Museum]] taxidermist, Frederick Richardson Fuller,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Birds Series; Part Two; Haast's Eagle |date=9 December 2008 |work=[[The Press]] |publication-place=Christchurch, New Zealand |issn=0113-9762}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2021 |title=Pouākai – The world's largest eagle |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/stories/2018806223/pouakai-the-world-s-largest-eagle |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213031520/https://www.rnz.co.nz/stories/2018806223/pouakai-the-world-s-largest-eagle |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Holdaway |first=Richard |title=Terror Of The Forest |journal=Notornis |date=October–December 1989 |issue=4 |publisher=[[New Zealand Geographic]] |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/terror-of-the-forest/ |access-date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925033638/https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/terror-of-the-forest/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in a former marsh.<ref name="Tudge2009">{{cite book |last=Tudge |first=Colin |title=The Secret Life of Birds: Who they are and what they do |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=svGx1UuNEB0C&pg=PT117 |date=6 August 2009 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |isbn=978-0-14-196210-8 |page=117 |access-date=24 October 2016 |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115060916/https://books.google.com/books?id=svGx1UuNEB0C&pg=PT117 |url-status=live }}</ref> Haast named the eagle ''Harpagornis moorei'' after [[George Henry Moore (runholder) |George Henry Moore]], the owner of the Glenmark Estate, where the bones of the bird were found.<ref name="Institute1872">{{cite journal |last=Haast |first=Julius |author-link=Julius Haast |journal=Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Po42AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA193 |volume=4 |year=1872 |pages=193–196 |title=Notes on Harpagornis Moorei, an Extinct Gigantic Bird of Prey, containing Discussion of Femur, Ungual Phalanges and Rib |access-date=24 October 2016 |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115060915/https://books.google.com/books?id=Po42AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA193 |url-status=live }}</ref> The genus name was from the Greek ''[[harpax]]'', meaning "grappling hook", and ''ornis'', meaning "bird".<ref name="NZGeo">{{cite journal |last1=Evans |first1=Kate |title=Return of the Lost Birds |journal=[[New Zealand Geographic]] |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/return-of-the-lost-birds/ |date=November 2018 |issue=154 |page=30 |language=En |issn=0113-9967 |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927082705/https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/return-of-the-lost-birds/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Genetic fingerprinting|DNA analysis]] later showed that this bird is related most closely to the much smaller [[little eagle]] (''Hieraaetus morphnoides'') as well as the [[booted eagle]] (''Hieraaetus pennatus'') and not, as previously thought, to the large [[wedge-tailed eagle]] (''Aquila audax'').<ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Haast's eagle might have been more like a Haast's vulture, study finds |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |last=Allot |first=Amber |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322092243/https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bunce">{{cite journal |last1=Bunce |first1=M. |last2=Szulkin |first2=Marta |last3=Lerner |first3=Heather R. L. |last4=Barnes |first4=Ian |last5=Shapiro |first5=Beth |last6=Cooper |first6=Alan |last7=Holdaway |first7=Richard N. |year=2005 |title=Ancient DNA Provides New Insights into the Evolutionary History of New Zealand's Extinct Giant Eagle |journal=[[PLOS Biology]] |volume=3 |issue=1 |doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030009 |pages=e9 |pmid=15660162 |pmc=539324 |doi-access=free}}</ref> ''Harpagornis moorei'' was therefore reclassified as ''Hieraaetus moorei''.<ref name=NZGeo/>
+Haast's eagle was first scientifically described by [[Julius von Haast]] in 1871 from remains discovered by the [[Canterbury Museum, Christchurch|Canterbury Museum]] taxidermist, Frederick Richardson Fuller,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Birds Series; Part Two; Haast's Eagle |date=9 December 2008 |work=[[The Press]] |publication-place=Christchurch, New Zealand |issn=0113-9762}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2021 |title=Pouākai – The world's largest eagle |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/stories/2018806223/pouakai-the-world-s-largest-eagle |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213031520/https://www.rnz.co.nz/stories/2018806223/pouakai-the-world-s-largest-eagle |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Holdaway |first=Richard |title=Terror Of The Forest |journal=Notornis |date=October–December 1989 |issue=4 |publisher=[[New Zealand Geographic]] |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/terror-of-the-forest/ |access-date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925033638/https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/terror-of-the-forest/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in a former marsh.<ref name="Tudge2009">{{cite book |last=Tudge |first=Colin |title=The Secret Life of Birds: Who they are and what they do |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=svGx1UuNEB0C&pg=PT117 |date=6 August 2009 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |isbn=978-0-14-196210-8 |page=117 |access-date=24 October 2016 |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115060916/https://books.google.com/books?id=svGx1UuNEB0C&pg=PT117 |url-status=live }}</ref> Haast named the eagle ''Harpagornis moorei'' after [[George Henry Moore (runholder) |George Henry Moore]], the owner of the Glenmark Estate, where the bones of the bird were found.<ref name="Institute1872">{{cite journal |last=Haast |first=Julius |author-link=Julius Haast |journal=Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Po42AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA193 |volume=4 |year=1872 |pages=193–196 |title=Notes on Harpagornis Moorei, an Extinct Gigantic Bird of Prey, containing Discussion of Femur, Ungual Phalanges and Rib |access-date=24 October 2016 |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115060915/https://books.google.com/books?id=Po42AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA193 |url-status=live }}</ref> The genus name was from the Greek ''[[harpax]]'', meaning "grappling hook", and ''ornis'', meaning "bird".<ref name="NZGeo">{{cite journal |last1=Evans |first1=Kate |title=Return of the Lost Birds |journal=[[New Zealand Geographic]] |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/return-of-the-lost-birds/ |date=November 2018 |issue=154 |page=30 |language=En |issn=0113-9967 |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927082705/https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/return-of-the-lost-birds/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Genetic fingerprinting|DNA analysis]] later showed that this bird is related most closely to the much smaller [[little eagle]] (''Hieraaetus morphnoides'') as well as the [[booted eagle]] (''Hieraaetus pennatus'') and not, as previously thought, to the large [[wedge-tailed eagle]] (''Aquila audax'').<ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Haast's eagle might have been more like a Haast's vulture, study finds |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |last=Allot |first=Amber |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322092243/https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bunce">{{cite journal |last1=Bunce |first1=M. |last2=Szulkin |first2=Marta |last3=Lerner |first3=Heather R. L. |last4=Barnes |first4=Ian |last5=Shapiro |first5=Beth |last6=Cooper |first6=Alan |last7=Holdaway |first7=Richard N. |year=2005 |title=Ancient DNA Provides New Insights into the Evolutionary History of New Zealand's Extinct Giant Eagle |journal=[[PLOS Biology]] |volume=3 |issue=1 |doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030009 |article-number=e9 |pmid=15660162 |pmc=539324 |doi-access=free}}</ref> ''Harpagornis moorei'' was therefore reclassified as ''Hieraaetus moorei''.<ref name=NZGeo/>
-''H. moorei'' is estimated to have diverged from these smaller eagles as recently as 1.8&nbsp;million to 700,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Observatory: [Science Desk] |last=Fountain |first=Henry |date=4 January 2005 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> If this estimate is correct, its increase in weight by ten to fifteen times is an exceptionally rapid weight increase.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Haast's eagle only became giant in the move to New Zealand, DNA tests show |last=Bunce |first=Michael |date=13 January 2005 |work=[[National Post]] |publication-place=Canada, [[Don Mills]] |issn=1486-8008}}</ref> The suggested increase in the average weight of Haast's eagle over that period would therefore represent the largest, fastest evolutionary increase in average weight of any known [[vertebrate]] species.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Species distribution modeling reveals strongholds and potential reintroduction areas for the world's largest eagle |journal=[[PLOS One]] |last1=Miranda |first1=Everton B P |issue=5 |last2=Menezes |first2=Jorge F S |year=2019 |publication-place=San Francisco, United States |eissn=1932-6203 |last3=Farias |first3=Camila C L |last4=Munn |first4=Charles|volume=14 |pages=e0216323 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0216323 |doi-access=free |pmid=31083656 |pmc=6513255 |bibcode=2019PLoSO..1416323M }}</ref> This was made possible in part by the presence of large prey and the absence of competition from other large predators, an example of [[ecological release]] and [[island gigantism]].<ref name="PLOSBiology">{{cite journal |title=Ancient DNA Tells Story of Giant Eagle Evolution |journal= PLOS Biology |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages= e20 |doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030020 |date=4 January 2005 |pmc=539337 |doi-access= free}}</ref> A recent [[mitochondrial DNA]] study found it to be more closely related to the little eagle than the booted eagle, with an estimated divergence from the little eagle around 2.2&nbsp;million years ago.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=How a Giant Eagle Once Came to Dominate New Zealand |date=12 September 2022 |magazine=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian ]] |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-a-giant-eagle-once-came-to-dominate-new-zealand-180980726/ |last=Upholt |first=Boyce |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322092243/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-a-giant-eagle-once-came-to-dominate-new-zealand-180980726/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Knapp |first1=Michael |last2=Thomas |first2=Jessica E. |last3=Haile |first3=James |last4=Prost |first4=Stefan |last5=Ho |first5=Simon Y.W. |last6=Dussex |first6=Nicolas |last7=Cameron-Christie |first7=Sophia |last8=Kardailsky |first8=Olga |last9=Barnett |first9=Ross |last10=Bunce |first10=Michael |last11=Gilbert |first11=M. Thomas P. |date=May 2019 |title=Mitogenomic evidence of close relationships between New Zealand's extinct giant raptors and small-sized Australian sister-taxa |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |language=en |volume=134 |pages=122–128 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.026 |pmid=30753886 |bibcode=2019MolPE.134..122K |s2cid=73420145}}</ref> It was placed in the genus ''[[Aquila (bird)|Aquila]]'' by recent taxonomists.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510015905/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+''H. moorei'' is estimated to have diverged from these smaller eagles as recently as 1.8&nbsp;million to 700,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Observatory: [Science Desk] |last=Fountain |first=Henry |date=4 January 2005 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> If this estimate is correct, its increase in weight by ten to fifteen times is an exceptionally rapid weight increase.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Haast's eagle only became giant in the move to New Zealand, DNA tests show |last=Bunce |first=Michael |date=13 January 2005 |work=[[National Post]] |publication-place=Canada, [[Don Mills]] |issn=1486-8008}}</ref> The suggested increase in the average weight of Haast's eagle over that period would therefore represent the largest, fastest evolutionary increase in average weight of any known [[vertebrate]] species.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Species distribution modeling reveals strongholds and potential reintroduction areas for the world's largest eagle |journal=[[PLOS One]] |last1=Miranda |first1=Everton B P |issue=5 |last2=Menezes |first2=Jorge F S |year=2019 |publication-place=San Francisco, United States |eissn=1932-6203 |last3=Farias |first3=Camila C L |last4=Munn |first4=Charles|volume=14 |article-number=e0216323 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0216323 |doi-access=free |pmid=31083656 |pmc=6513255 |bibcode=2019PLoSO..1416323M }}</ref> This was made possible in part by the presence of large prey and the absence of competition from other large predators, an example of [[ecological release]] and [[island gigantism]].<ref name="PLOSBiology">{{cite journal |title=Ancient DNA Tells Story of Giant Eagle Evolution |journal= PLOS Biology |volume=3 |issue=1 |article-number= e20 |doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030020 |date=4 January 2005 |pmc=539337 |doi-access= free}}</ref> A recent [[mitochondrial DNA]] study found it to be more closely related to the little eagle than the booted eagle, with an estimated divergence from the little eagle around 2.2&nbsp;million years ago.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=How a Giant Eagle Once Came to Dominate New Zealand |date=12 September 2022 |magazine=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian ]] |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-a-giant-eagle-once-came-to-dominate-new-zealand-180980726/ |last=Upholt |first=Boyce |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322092243/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-a-giant-eagle-once-came-to-dominate-new-zealand-180980726/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Knapp |first1=Michael |last2=Thomas |first2=Jessica E. |last3=Haile |first3=James |last4=Prost |first4=Stefan |last5=Ho |first5=Simon Y.W. |last6=Dussex |first6=Nicolas |last7=Cameron-Christie |first7=Sophia |last8=Kardailsky |first8=Olga |last9=Barnett |first9=Ross |last10=Bunce |first10=Michael |last11=Gilbert |first11=M. Thomas P. |date=May 2019 |title=Mitogenomic evidence of close relationships between New Zealand's extinct giant raptors and small-sized Australian sister-taxa |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |language=en |volume=134 |pages=122–128 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.026 |pmid=30753886 |bibcode=2019MolPE.134..122K |s2cid=73420145}}</ref> It was placed in the genus ''[[Aquila (bird)|Aquila]]'' by recent taxonomists.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510015905/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 ==Description==
-[[File:Giant Haasts eagle attacking New Zealand moa.jpg|thumb|Haast's eagle attacking moa by John Megahan]]
+[[File:Giant Haasts eagle attacking New Zealand moa.jpg|thumb|Haast's eagle attacking moa]]
-Haast's eagle was one of the largest known true [[Accipitriformes|raptors]].<ref name=":2" /> In length and weight, it was even larger than the largest living [[vulture]] (the [[Andean condor]]).<ref>{{Cite news |title=This Extinct Eagle May Have Gulped Guts Like a Vulture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/science/haasts-eagle-vulture-new-zealand.html |last=Imbler |first=Sabrina |date=30 November 2021 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322101045/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/science/haasts-eagle-vulture-new-zealand.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another giant bird (not actually an eagle save for in name) more recently and scantily described from the fossil record, the [[Woodward's eagle]], which resided in North America,<ref name="suarez">{{cite journal|url=https://silo.tips/download/the-identity-of-the-fossil-raptor-of-the-genus-amplibuteo-aves-accipitridae-from|title=The Identity of the Fossil Raptor of the Genus ''Amplibuteo'' (Aves: Accipitridae) from the Quaternary of Cuba|author=Suarez, William|journal=Caribbean Journal of Science|volume=40|issue=1|pages=120–125|year=2004|access-date=22 March 2024|archive-date=20 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520180441/https://silo.tips/download/the-identity-of-the-fossil-raptor-of-the-genus-amplibuteo-aves-accipitridae-from|url-status=live}}</ref> rivaled the Haast's in at least the aspect of total length.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Suarez |first=W. |year=2004 |title=The identity of the fossil raptor of the genus Amplibuteo (Aves: Accipitridae) from the Quaternary of Cuba |url=http://www.redciencia.cu/geobiblio/paper/2004_Suarez,%20W._Fossil%20Raptor%20of%20the%20Genus%20Amplibuteo_Cuba.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.redciencia.cu/geobiblio/paper/2004_Suarez,%20W._Fossil%20Raptor%20of%20the%20Genus%20Amplibuteo_Cuba.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |journal=Caribbean Journal of Science |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=120–125}}</ref> Female eagles were larger than males.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The man – killer that came from the sky |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/lifestyle/2522035/The-man-killer-that-came-from-the-sky |last=O'Connor |first=Tom |date=28 July 2009 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Taranaki Daily News]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322093601/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/lifestyle/2522035/The-man-killer-that-came-from-the-sky |url-status=live }}</ref> Most estimates place the female Haast's eagles in the range of {{convert|10–18|kg|abbr=on}} and males around {{convert|9|-|12|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Brathwaite>{{cite journal |last=Brathwaite |first=D. H. |title=Notes on the weight, flying ability, habitat, and prey of Haast's Eagle (''Harpagornis moorei'') |journal=Notornis |date=December 1992 |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=239–247 |publisher=[[Ornithological Society of New Zealand]] |url=http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_39_4_239.pdf |access-date=26 January 2014 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119162446/http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_39_4_239.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322095247/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A comparison with living eagles of the Australasian region resulted in estimated masses in Haast's eagles of {{convert|11.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} for males and {{convert|14|kg|lb|abbr=on}} for females.<ref name=Brathwaite/> One source estimates that the largest females could have weighed more than {{convert|16.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Worthy>Worthy, T. & Holdaway, R., ''The Lost World of the Moa: Prehistoric Life of New Zealand''. Indiana University Press (2003), {{ISBN|978-0253340344}}</ref> The largest extant eagles, none of which are verified to exceed {{convert|9|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in a wild state, are about forty percent smaller in body size than Haast's eagles.<ref name="Wood">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofan00wood |title=The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats |publisher=[[Guinness]] |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-85112-235-9 |author=Wood, Gerald |url-access=registration}}</ref>
+Haast's eagle was one of the largest known true [[Accipitriformes|raptors]].<ref name=":2" /> In length and weight, it was even larger than the largest living [[vulture]] (the [[Andean condor]]).<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |title=This Extinct Eagle May Have Gulped Guts Like a Vulture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/science/haasts-eagle-vulture-new-zealand.html |last=Imbler |first=Sabrina |date=30 November 2021 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322101045/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/science/haasts-eagle-vulture-new-zealand.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another giant bird (not actually an eagle save for in name) more recently and scantily described from the fossil record, the [[Woodward's eagle]], which resided in North America,<ref name="suarez">{{cite journal|url=https://silo.tips/download/the-identity-of-the-fossil-raptor-of-the-genus-amplibuteo-aves-accipitridae-from|title=The Identity of the Fossil Raptor of the Genus ''Amplibuteo'' (Aves: Accipitridae) from the Quaternary of Cuba|author=Suarez, William|journal=Caribbean Journal of Science|volume=40|issue=1|pages=120–125|year=2004|access-date=22 March 2024|archive-date=20 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520180441/https://silo.tips/download/the-identity-of-the-fossil-raptor-of-the-genus-amplibuteo-aves-accipitridae-from|url-status=live}}</ref> rivaled the Haast's in at least the aspect of total length.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Suarez |first=W. |year=2004 |title=The identity of the fossil raptor of the genus Amplibuteo (Aves: Accipitridae) from the Quaternary of Cuba |url=http://www.redciencia.cu/geobiblio/paper/2004_Suarez,%20W._Fossil%20Raptor%20of%20the%20Genus%20Amplibuteo_Cuba.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.redciencia.cu/geobiblio/paper/2004_Suarez,%20W._Fossil%20Raptor%20of%20the%20Genus%20Amplibuteo_Cuba.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |journal=Caribbean Journal of Science |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=120–125}}</ref> Female eagles were larger than males.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |title=The man – killer that came from the sky |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/lifestyle/2522035/The-man-killer-that-came-from-the-sky |last=O'Connor |first=Tom |date=28 July 2009 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Taranaki Daily News]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322093601/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/lifestyle/2522035/The-man-killer-that-came-from-the-sky |url-status=live }}</ref> Most estimates place the female Haast's eagles in the range of {{convert|10–18|kg|abbr=on}} and males around {{convert|9|-|12|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Brathwaite>{{cite journal |last=Brathwaite |first=D. H. |title=Notes on the weight, flying ability, habitat, and prey of Haast's Eagle (''Harpagornis moorei'') |journal=Notornis |date=December 1992 |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=239–247 |publisher=[[Ornithological Society of New Zealand]] |doi=10.63172/063287mnyudi |url=http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_39_4_239.pdf |access-date=26 January 2014 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119162446/http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_39_4_239.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322095247/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-legend-of-man-eating-bird-is-true/QRUOJKCF524QMJKX5P7SMTGO2Y/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A comparison with living eagles of the Australasian region resulted in estimated masses in Haast's eagles of {{convert|11.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} for males and {{convert|14|kg|lb|abbr=on}} for females.<ref name=Brathwaite/> One source estimates that the largest females could have weighed more than {{convert|16.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Worthy>Worthy, T. & Holdaway, R., ''The Lost World of the Moa: Prehistoric Life of New Zealand''. Indiana University Press (2003), {{ISBN|978-0253340344}}</ref> The largest extant eagles, none of which are verified to exceed {{convert|9|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in a wild state, are about forty percent smaller in body size than Haast's eagles.<ref name="Wood">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofan00wood |title=The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats |publisher=[[Guinness]] |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-85112-235-9 |author=Wood, Gerald |url-access=registration}}</ref>
 [[File:Harpagornis claw vs eagle.png|thumb|Foot bones of Haast's eagle (top) and those of its [[common descent|closest living relative]], the [[little eagle]]]]
-It had a relatively short wingspan for its size. It is estimated that the grown female typically spanned up to {{convert|2.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, possibly up to {{convert|3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in a few cases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/haastseagle.htm |title=Recently Extinct Animals – Species Info – Haast's Eagle |author=Maas, P. |publisher=The Sixth Extinction |access-date=19 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120225443/http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/haastseagle.htm |archive-date=20 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/macro/islandrule/haast'seagle.html |title=Haast's Eagle |publisher=Paleobiology and Biodiversity Research Group |access-date=19 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505231658/http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/macro/islandrule/Haast'sEagle.html |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This wingspan is broadly similar to the larger range of female size in some [[Extant taxon|extant]] eagles: the wedge-tailed eagle, [[golden eagle]] (''A. chrysaetos''), [[martial eagle]] (''Polemaetus bellicosus''), [[white-tailed eagle]] (''Haliaeetus albicilla'') and [[Steller's sea eagle]] (''Haliaeetus pelagicus'') are all known to exceed {{convert|2.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in wingspan. Several of the largest extant [[Old World vulture]]s, if not in mean mass or other linear measurements, probably exceed Haast's eagle in average wingspan as well.<ref name= "Wood"/><ref name=RaptorsWorld>{{cite book |year=2001 |title=Raptors of the World |publisher=[[Helm Identification Guides|Christopher Helm]] |location=London |isbn=0-7136-8026-1 |author1=Ferguson-Lees, J. |author2=Christie, D.}}</ref> Haast's eagle's relatively short wingspan has sometimes led to it being incorrectly portrayed as having evolved toward [[Flightless bird |flightlessness]], even though evidence strongly suggests that it flew.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Bird Series; Part Two; Haast's Eagle |date=29 December 2008 |work=[[The Press]] |publication-place=Christchurch, New Zealand |issn=0113-9762}}</ref> Instead, its short and broad wings represents an evolutionary departure from the mode of its ancestors' [[Bird flight |soaring flight]] in favour of navigating through a crowded woodland environment. Haast's eagles are likely to have hunted within the dense [[shrubland]] and [[forest]]s of New Zealand, somewhat akin to other forest-dwelling [[bird of prey|raptor]]s like the [[goshawk]]s or [[harpy eagle]].<ref name="BBCFactFiles">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228152921/http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3044.shtml |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3044.shtml |title= Haast's eagle, New Zealand giant eagle |archive-date= 28 February 2009 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date= 30 September 2014}}</ref>
+It had a relatively short wingspan for its size. It is estimated that the grown female typically spanned up to {{convert|2.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, possibly up to {{convert|3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in a few cases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/haastseagle.htm |title=Recently Extinct Animals – Species Info – Haast's Eagle |author=Maas, P. |publisher=The Sixth Extinction |access-date=19 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120225443/http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/haastseagle.htm |archive-date=20 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/macro/islandrule/haast'seagle.html |title=Haast's Eagle |publisher=Paleobiology and Biodiversity Research Group |access-date=19 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505231658/http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/macro/islandrule/Haast'sEagle.html |archive-date=5 May 2014 }}</ref> This wingspan is broadly similar to the larger range of female size in some [[Extant taxon|extant]] eagles: the [[wedge-tailed eagle]] (''A. audax''), [[golden eagle]] (''A. chrysaetos''), [[martial eagle]] (''Polemaetus bellicosus''), [[white-tailed eagle]] (''Haliaeetus albicilla'') and [[Steller's sea eagle]] (''Haliaeetus pelagicus'') are all known to exceed {{convert|2.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in wingspan. Several of the largest extant [[Old World vulture]]s, if not in mean mass or other linear measurements, probably exceed Haast's eagle in average wingspan as well.<ref name= "Wood"/><ref name=RaptorsWorld>{{cite book |year=2001 |title=Raptors of the World |publisher=[[Helm Identification Guides|Christopher Helm]] |location=London |isbn=0-7136-8026-1 |author1=Ferguson-Lees, J. |author2=Christie, D.}}</ref> Haast's eagle's relatively short wingspan has sometimes led to it being incorrectly portrayed as having evolved toward [[Flightless bird |flightlessness]], even though evidence strongly suggests that it flew.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Bird Series; Part Two; Haast's Eagle |date=29 December 2008 |work=[[The Press]] |publication-place=Christchurch, New Zealand |issn=0113-9762}}</ref> Instead, its short and broad wings represents an evolutionary departure from the mode of its ancestors' [[Bird flight |soaring flight]] in favour of navigating through a crowded woodland environment. Haast's eagles are likely to have hunted within the dense [[shrubland]] and [[forest]]s of New Zealand, somewhat akin to other forest-dwelling [[bird of prey|raptor]]s like the [[goshawk]]s or [[harpy eagle]].<ref name="BBCFactFiles">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228152921/http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3044.shtml |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3044.shtml |title= Haast's eagle, New Zealand giant eagle |archive-date= 28 February 2009 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date= 30 September 2014}}</ref>
 Some wing and leg remains of Haast's eagles permit direct comparison with living eagles. The harpy eagle, the [[Philippine eagle]] (''Pithecophaga jefferyi''), and the Steller's sea eagle are the largest and most powerful living eagles, and the first two also have a similarly reduced relative wing-length as an adaptation to forest-dwelling.<ref name= "Wood"/> A lower mandible from the Haast's eagle measured {{convert|11.4|cm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}} and the [[Tarsus (skeleton)|tarsus]] in several Haast's eagle fossils has been measured from {{convert|13.7|to|16.2|cm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hamilton |first=A. |year=1888 |title=On Avian Remains in Southland |journal=Transactions of the New Zealand Institute}}</ref> In comparison, the largest beaks of eagles today (from the Philippine and the Steller's sea eagle) reach a little more than {{convert|7|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}}; and the longest tarsal measurements (from the Philippine and the [[Papuan eagle]], ''Harpyopsis novaeguineae'') top out around {{convert|14|cm|in|frac=2 |abbr=on}}.<ref name=RaptorsWorld/><ref>Ladyguin, Alexander (2000). [http://www.wbsj.org/nature/kisyou/eagle/pdf/morphology.pdf The morphology of the bill apparatus in the Steller's Sea Eagle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207065315/http://www.wbsj.org/nature/kisyou/eagle/pdf/morphology.pdf |date=7 February 2012 }}. First Symposium on Steller's and White-tailed Sea Eagles in East Asia pp. 1–10; Ueta, M. & McGrady, M.J. (eds.) Wild Bird Society of Japan</ref>
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 The talons of the Haast's eagle were similar in length to those of the harpy eagle, with a front-left talon length of {{convert|4.9|to|6.15|cm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}} and a [[claw|hallux-claw]] of possibly up to {{convert|11|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Worthy/> The Philippine eagle might be a particularly appropriate living species to compare with the Haast's eagle, because it too evolved in an insular environment from smaller ancestors (apparently basal [[Circaetinae|snake eagles]]) to island gigantism in the absence of large [[carnivorous]] mammals and other competing predators.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lerner |first1=Heather R.L. |last2=Mindell |first2=David P. |title=Phylogeny of eagles, Old World vultures, and other Accipitridae based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |date=November 2005 |volume=37 |issue=2 |pages=327–346 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2005.04.010 |pmid=15925523|bibcode=2005MolPE..37..327L }}</ref> The eagle's talons are similar to modern eagles, suggesting that it used its talons for hunting and not scavenging.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 2021 |title=Haast's Eagle research points to bird being carnivorous predator |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/456971/haast-s-eagle-research-points-to-bird-being-carnivorous-predator |access-date=2 December 2021 |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202014623/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/456971/haast-s-eagle-research-points-to-bird-being-carnivorous-predator |url-status=live }}</ref> The strong legs and massive flight muscles of these eagles would have enabled the birds to take off with a jumping start from the ground, despite their great weight.<ref name=":2" /> The tail was almost certainly long, in excess of {{convert|50|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} in female specimens, and very broad. This characteristic would compensate for the reduction in wing area by providing additional [[lift (physics)|lift]].<ref name=Brathwaite/> Total length is estimated to have been up to {{convert|1.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in females, with a standing height of approximately {{convert|90|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} tall or perhaps slightly greater.<ref name= Worthy/>
-Māori [[Cave painting|cave art]] depicts the Haast's eagle with a pale head. These Māori rock art drawings can still be found in modern-day [[South Canterbury]] near [[Timaru]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maori rock art sites our cathedrals |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/our-people/107972920/maori-rock-art-sites-our-cathedrals |last=Gerard |first=Hindmarsh |date=20 October 2018 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322102206/https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/our-people/107972920/maori-rock-art-sites-our-cathedrals |url-status=live }}</ref> Combined with its vulture-like feeding behaviour, this might suggest it had a bald head, or had shorter feathers on its head than elsewhere on its body.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=van Heteren |first1=A. H. |last2=Wroe |first2=S. |last3=Tsang |first3=L. R. |last4=Mitchell |first4=D. R. |last5=Ross |first5=P. |last6=Ledogar |first6=J. A. |last7=Attard |first7=M. R. G. |author-link7=Marie Attard |last8=Sustaita |first8=D. |last9=Clausen |first9=P. |last10=Scofield |first10=R. P. |last11=Sansalone |first11=G. |date=8 December 2021 |title=New Zealand's extinct giant raptor (Hieraaetus moorei) killed like an eagle, ate like a condor |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=288 |issue=1964 |pages=20211913 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2021.1913 |pmc=8634616 |pmid=34847767 |s2cid=244731381}}</ref>
+Māori [[Cave painting|cave art]] depicts the Haast's eagle with a pale head. These Māori rock art drawings can still be found in modern-day [[South Canterbury]] near [[Timaru]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maori rock art sites our cathedrals |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/our-people/107972920/maori-rock-art-sites-our-cathedrals |last=Gerard |first=Hindmarsh |date=20 October 2018 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322102206/https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/our-people/107972920/maori-rock-art-sites-our-cathedrals |url-status=live }}</ref> Combined with its vulture-like feeding behaviour, this might suggest it had a bald head, or had shorter feathers on its head than elsewhere on its body.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=van Heteren |first1=A. H. |last2=Wroe |first2=S. |last3=Tsang |first3=L. R. |last4=Mitchell |first4=D. R. |last5=Ross |first5=P. |last6=Ledogar |first6=J. A. |last7=Attard |first7=M. R. G. |author-link7=Marie Attard |last8=Sustaita |first8=D. |last9=Clausen |first9=P. |last10=Scofield |first10=R. P. |last11=Sansalone |first11=G. |date=8 December 2021 |title=New Zealand's extinct giant raptor (Hieraaetus moorei) killed like an eagle, ate like a condor |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=288 |issue=1964 |article-number=20211913 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2021.1913 |pmc=8634616 |pmid=34847767 |s2cid=244731381}}</ref>
 ==Behaviour and ecology==
 [[File:Haast's eagle attacking moa at Te Papa.jpg|thumb|upright|Model at [[Te Papa]] of Haast's eagle attacking a [[moa]]]]
-The Haast's eagle predominantly preyed on large, flightless bird species, including the moa, which ultimately led to the species' extinction.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Birds of prey – New Zealand's birds of prey |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Hutching |first=Gerard |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/video/9945/haasts-eagle |access-date=23 March 2024 |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322110355/https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/9945/haasts-eagle |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = A Concise History of New Zealand|last = Mein Smith|first = Philippa|publisher = Cambridge University Press|year = 2012|isbn = 978-1107402171|pages = 2, 5–6}}</ref> Moa would be up to fifteen times the weight of the eagle.<ref name=Brathwaite/> Its large beak also could be used to rip into the internal organs of its prey and death then would have been caused by blood loss.<ref name=":2" /> Due to the absence of other large predators or [[kleptoparasite]]s, a Haast's eagle could easily have monopolised a single large kill over a number of days.<ref name="collections.tepapa.govt.nz" />  Its prey, the moa, could weigh up to {{convert|200|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite news |title=What we've just learned about NZ's goliath Haast's eagle |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/what-weve-just-learned-about-nzs-goliath-haasts-eagle/TTZ6OIGXIGX6PM4BGPKQSJ6RGA/ |last=Morton |first=Jamie |date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119072836/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/what-weve-just-learned-about-nzs-goliath-haasts-eagle/TTZ6OIGXIGX6PM4BGPKQSJ6RGA/ |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=10 May 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] }}</ref>
+The Haast's eagle predominantly preyed on large, flightless bird species, including the moa, which ultimately led to the species' extinction.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Birds of prey – New Zealand's birds of prey |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Hutching |first=Gerard |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/video/9945/haasts-eagle |access-date=23 March 2024 |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322110355/https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/9945/haasts-eagle |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = A Concise History of New Zealand|last = Mein Smith|first = Philippa|publisher = Cambridge University Press|year = 2012|isbn = 978-1-107-40217-1|pages = 2, 5–6}}</ref> Moa would be up to fifteen times the weight of the eagle.<ref name=Brathwaite/> Its large beak also could be used to rip into the internal organs of its prey and death then would have been caused by blood loss.<ref name=":2" /> Due to the absence of other large predators or [[kleptoparasite]]s, a Haast's eagle could easily have monopolised a single large kill over a number of days.<ref name="collections.tepapa.govt.nz" />  Its prey, the moa, could weigh up to {{convert|200|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |title=What we've just learned about NZ's goliath Haast's eagle |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/what-weve-just-learned-about-nzs-goliath-haasts-eagle/TTZ6OIGXIGX6PM4BGPKQSJ6RGA/ |last=Morton |first=Jamie |date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119072836/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/what-weve-just-learned-about-nzs-goliath-haasts-eagle/TTZ6OIGXIGX6PM4BGPKQSJ6RGA/ |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=10 May 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] }}</ref>
-A 2021 analysis showed that, while predatory, the bill of the Haast's eagle was functionally closer to that of the [[Andean condor]] (''Vultur gryphus'') than to that of other eagles. This is also supported by historic Māori Cave art which depicts the Haast's eagle being pale-headed.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Research points to New Zealand's Haast's eagle being bald, vulture-like flesh gulper |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/12/research-points-to-new-zealand-s-haast-s-eagle-being-bald-vulture-like-flesh-gulper.html |last=Brownlie |first=Kaysha |date=12 January 2021 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Newshub]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322104701/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/12/research-points-to-new-zealand-s-haast-s-eagle-being-bald-vulture-like-flesh-gulper.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Haast's eagle might have been more like a Haast's vulture, study finds |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |last=Allot |first=Amber |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322092243/https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |url-status=live }}</ref> It also suggests that it deployed feeding tactics more similar to those of vultures after making a kill, plunging its head into the body cavity to devour the vital organs of its prey. This may have been an adaptation as a result of the bird hunting animals much larger than itself.<ref>{{Cite journal |doi= 10.1098/rspb.2021.1913 |title= New Zealand's extinct giant raptor (Hieraaetus moorei) killed like an eagle, ate like a condor |year= 2021 |last1= Van Heteren |first1= A. H. |last2= Wroe |first2= S. |last3= Tsang |first3= L. R. |last4= Mitchell |first4= D. R. |last5= Ross |first5= P. |last6= Ledogar |first6= J. A. |last7= Attard |first7= M. R. G. |last8= Sustaita |first8= D. |last9= Clausen |first9= P. |last10= Scofield |first10= R. P. |last11= Sansalone |first11= G. |journal= Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume= 288 |issue= 1964 |pmid= 34847767 |pmc= 8634616 |s2cid= 244731381}}</ref>
+A 2021 analysis showed that, while predatory, the bill of the Haast's eagle was functionally closer to that of the [[Andean condor]] (''Vultur gryphus'') than to that of other eagles. This is also supported by historic Māori Cave art which depicts the Haast's eagle being pale-headed.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Research points to New Zealand's Haast's eagle being bald, vulture-like flesh gulper |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/12/research-points-to-new-zealand-s-haast-s-eagle-being-bald-vulture-like-flesh-gulper.html |last=Brownlie |first=Kaysha |date=12 January 2021 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Newshub]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322104701/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/12/research-points-to-new-zealand-s-haast-s-eagle-being-bald-vulture-like-flesh-gulper.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Extinct Haast's eagle might have been more like a Haast's vulture, study finds |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |last=Allot |first=Amber |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322092243/https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/127150610/extinct-haasts-eagle-might-have-been-more-like-a-haasts-vulture-study-finds |url-status=live }}</ref> It also suggests that it deployed feeding tactics more similar to those of vultures after making a kill, plunging its head into the body cavity to devour the vital organs of its prey. This may have been an adaptation as a result of the bird hunting animals much larger than itself.<ref>{{Cite journal |doi= 10.1098/rspb.2021.1913 |title= New Zealand's extinct giant raptor (Hieraaetus moorei) killed like an eagle, ate like a condor |year= 2021 |last1= Van Heteren |first1= A. H. |last2= Wroe |first2= S. |last3= Tsang |first3= L. R. |last4= Mitchell |first4= D. R. |last5= Ross |first5= P. |last6= Ledogar |first6= J. A. |last7= Attard |first7= M. R. G. |last8= Sustaita |first8= D. |last9= Clausen |first9= P. |last10= Scofield |first10= R. P. |last11= Sansalone |first11= G. |journal= Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume= 288 |issue= 1964 |article-number= 20211913 |pmid= 34847767 |pmc= 8634616 |s2cid= 244731381}}</ref>
 ==Extinction==
-Until recent human colonisation that introduced rodents and cats, the only [[placental]] land [[mammal]]s found on the islands of New Zealand were three species of [[bat]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Ancient DNA Provides New Insights into the Evolutionary History of New Zealand's Extinct Giant Eagle |journal=[[PLOS Biology]] |last1=Bunce |first1=Michael |date=4 January 2004 |last2=Szulkin |first2=Marta |last3=Lerner |first3=Heather R. L |last4=Barnes |first4=Ian |last5=Shapiro |first5=Beth |last6=Cooper |first6=Alan |last7=Holdaway |first7=Richard N|volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=e9 |doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030009 |doi-access=free |pmid=15660162 |pmc=539324 |hdl=2440/37001 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Bats in New Zealand |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Meduna |first=Veronika |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/bats/page-1 |access-date=10 May 2024 |date=24 September 2007}}</ref> Birds occupied or dominated all major [[ecological niche|niche]]s in the New Zealand animal [[ecology]]. Moa were grazers, functionally similar to large [[ungulate]]s, such as [[deer]] or [[cattle]] in other habitats, and Haast's eagles were the hunters who filled the same niche as [[Apex predator|top-niche]] [[Carnivora|mammalian predators]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Moa extinction an 'irreplaceable' loss |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9234667/Moa-extinction-an-irreplaceable-loss |last=Daly |first=Michael |date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226025356/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9234667/Moa-extinction-an-irreplaceable-loss |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=10 May 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=What we've just learned about NZ's goliath Haast's eagle |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/what-weve-just-learned-about-nzs-goliath-haasts-eagle/TTZ6OIGXIGX6PM4BGPKQSJ6RGA/ |last=Morton |first=Jamie |date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119072836/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/what-weve-just-learned-about-nzs-goliath-haasts-eagle/TTZ6OIGXIGX6PM4BGPKQSJ6RGA/ |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=10 May 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] }}</ref>
+Until recent human colonisation that introduced rodents and cats, the only [[placental]] land [[mammal]]s found on the islands of New Zealand were three species of [[bat]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Ancient DNA Provides New Insights into the Evolutionary History of New Zealand's Extinct Giant Eagle |journal=[[PLOS Biology]] |last1=Bunce |first1=Michael |date=4 January 2004 |last2=Szulkin |first2=Marta |last3=Lerner |first3=Heather R. L |last4=Barnes |first4=Ian |last5=Shapiro |first5=Beth |last6=Cooper |first6=Alan |last7=Holdaway |first7=Richard N|volume=3 |issue=1 |article-number=e9 |doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030009 |doi-access=free |pmid=15660162 |pmc=539324 |hdl=2440/37001 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Bats in New Zealand |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Meduna |first=Veronika |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/bats/page-1 |access-date=10 May 2024 |date=24 September 2007}}</ref> Birds occupied or dominated all major [[ecological niche|niche]]s in the New Zealand animal [[ecology]]. Moa were grazers, functionally similar to large [[ungulate]]s, such as [[deer]] or [[cattle]] in other habitats, and Haast's eagles were the hunters who filled the same niche as [[Apex predator|top-niche]] [[Carnivora|mammalian predators]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Moa extinction an 'irreplaceable' loss |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9234667/Moa-extinction-an-irreplaceable-loss |last=Daly |first=Michael |date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226025356/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9234667/Moa-extinction-an-irreplaceable-loss |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=10 May 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] }}</ref><ref name="auto"/>
 One study estimated the total population of Haast's eagle at 3,000 to 4,500 breeding pairs.<ref name="NZGeo"/> Early [[Māori people|Māori]] settlers arrived in New Zealand sometime between AD&nbsp;1250 and AD&nbsp;1275,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/478269/new-study-suggests-maori-settlers-arrived-in-aotearoa-as-early-as-13th-century|title=New study suggests Māori settlers arrived in Aotearoa as early as 13th century|work=[[RNZ]] |author=Ashleigh McCaull|date=8 November 2022|access-date=8 November 2022|archive-date=7 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107230404/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/478269/new-study-suggests-maori-settlers-arrived-in-aotearoa-as-early-as-13th-century|url-status=live}}</ref> The Māori preyed heavily on large flightless birds, including all moa species. The added hunting pressure from the Māori led the moa to extinction by around 1440 to 1445.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Humans wiped out moa, the largest bird that ever lived |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/humans-wiped-out-moa-the-largest-bird-that-ever-lived/ntn1wfo7p |date=8 November 2014 |access-date=22 March 2024 |publisher=[[SBS World News]] |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510015858/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/humans-wiped-out-moa-the-largest-bird-that-ever-lived/ntn1wfo7p |url-status=live }}</ref> Both eagles and Māori likely [[Competition (biology)|competed]] for the same foods.<ref name=":2" /> Unlike the adaptable humans, eagles were dependent on the native medium and large-sized flightless birds, being [[Specialization (biology)|specialised]] in hunting them.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Oral traditions show that early Māori recognised the extinction of the moa |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/09-09-2018/oral-traditions-show-that-early-maori-recognised-the-extinction-of-the-moa |last1=Wehi |first1=Priscilla |date=9 September 2018 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The Spinoff]] |last2=Whaanga |first2=Hemi |last3=Cox |first3=Murray |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322095245/https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/09-09-2018/oral-traditions-show-that-early-maori-recognised-the-extinction-of-the-moa |url-status=live }}</ref> The loss of its primary prey caused the Haast's eagle to become extinct at about the same time as its prey.<ref name=":2">{{cite book |last1=Tennyson |first1=A. |last2=Martinson |first2=P. |year=2006 |title=Extinct Birds of New Zealand |publisher=Te Papa Press |location=Wellington, New Zealand |isbn=978-0-909010-21-8}}</ref>
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 ==Relationship with humans==
-Some believe that these birds are described in many legends of the [[Māori mythology]], under the names ''[[pouākai]]'', ''[[Hakawai (mythology)|Hakawai]]'' (or ''[[Hakawai (mythology)|Hōkioi]]'' in the [[North Island]]).<ref name="rodgers">{{cite news |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |newspaper=The Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |access-date=14 September 2009 |archive-date=22 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922185558/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Ngā manu – birds – Birds' names |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Keane-Tuala |first=Kelly |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/12176/te-hokioi |access-date=23 March 2024 |date=24 September 2007 |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322222034/https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/12176/te-hokioi |url-status=live }}</ref> According to an account given to Sir [[George Grey]]—an early governor of New Zealand—Hōkioi were huge black-and-white birds with yellow-green tinged [[wing]]s and a red [[Crest (feathers)|crest]]. In Māori mythology, Pouākai would prey on and kill humans along with moa,<ref>{{Cite news |title=This Extinct Eagle May Have Gulped Guts Like a Vulture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/science/haasts-eagle-vulture-new-zealand.html |last=Imbler |first=Sabrina |date=30 November 2021 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322101045/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/science/haasts-eagle-vulture-new-zealand.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Grey, George |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1g21/grey-george |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Sinclair |first=Keith |year=1990 |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210070011/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1g21/grey-george |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |newspaper=The Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=20 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220124600/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |url-status=live }}</ref> which scientists believe could have been possible if the name relates to the eagle, given the massive size and strength of the bird.<ref name=rodgers/><ref>{{Cite news |title=The man – killer that came from the sky |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/lifestyle/2522035/The-man-killer-that-came-from-the-sky |last=O'Connor |first=Tom |date=28 July 2009 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=[[Taranaki Daily News]] |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322093601/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/lifestyle/2522035/The-man-killer-that-came-from-the-sky |url-status=live }}</ref> However, it has also been argued that the "''hakawai''" and "''hōkioi''" legends refer to the [[Austral snipe]]—in particular the extinct South Island species.<ref name="Miskelly">{{cite journal |last=Miskelly |first=C. M. |year=1987 |title=The identity of the hakawai |journal=Notornis |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=95–116 |url=https://www.notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_34_2.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_34_2.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
+Some believe that these birds are described in many legends of the [[Māori mythology]], under the names ''[[pouākai]]'', ''[[Hakawai (mythology)|Hakawai]]'' (or ''[[Hakawai (mythology)|Hōkioi]]'' in the [[North Island]]).<ref name="rodgers">{{cite news |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |newspaper=The Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |access-date=14 September 2009 |archive-date=22 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922185558/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Ngā manu – birds – Birds' names |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Keane-Tuala |first=Kelly |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/12176/te-hokioi |access-date=23 March 2024 |date=24 September 2007 |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322222034/https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/12176/te-hokioi |url-status=live }}</ref> According to an account given to Sir [[George Grey]]—an early governor of New Zealand—Hōkioi were huge black-and-white birds with yellow-green tinged [[wing]]s and a red [[Crest (feathers)|crest]]. In Māori mythology, Pouākai would prey on and kill humans along with moa,<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Grey, George |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1g21/grey-george |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Sinclair |first=Keith |year=1990 |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210070011/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1g21/grey-george |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rodgers |first=Paul |date=14 September 2009 |title=Maori legend of man-eating bird is true |newspaper=The Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=20 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220124600/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/maori-legend-of-maneating-bird-is-true-1886061.html |url-status=live }}</ref> which scientists believe could have been possible if the name relates to the eagle, given the massive size and strength of the bird.<ref name=rodgers/><ref name="auto1"/> However, it has also been argued that the "''hakawai''" and "''hōkioi''" legends refer to the [[Austral snipe]]—in particular the extinct South Island species.<ref name="Miskelly">{{cite journal |last=Miskelly |first=C. M. |year=1987 |title=The identity of the hakawai |journal=Notornis |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=95–116 |url=https://www.notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_34_2.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/files/Notornis_34_2.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 == In popular culture==
 [[File:Macraes Haasts Eagle Sculpture 001.JPG|thumb|A Haast's eagle statue on Macraes Flat]]
-Artwork depicting Haast's eagle now may be viewed at [[OceanaGold]]'s Heritage and Art Park at [[Macraes Mine|Macraes]], [[Otago]], New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Haast Eagle has landed |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/haast-eagle-has-landed |date=19 December 2008 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=The Otago Daily Times |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510015934/https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/haast-eagle-has-landed |url-status=live }}</ref> The sculpture, weighing approximately {{convert|750|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, standing {{convert|7.5|m|ft}} tall, and depicted with a wingspan of {{convert|11.5|m|ft}} is constructed from stainless steel tube and sheet and was designed and constructed by Mark Hill, a sculptor from [[Arrowtown]], New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/372/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx#video |title=Giant art sculptures pop up in Otago |publisher=3 News |location=New Zealand |quote=Lifestyle – Video on Demand |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518001440/http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/372/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx#video |archive-date=18 May 2014 |url-status=dead}} [http://www.3news.co.nz/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/420/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx text version] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324080320/http://www.3news.co.nz/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/420/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx |date=24 March 2012}}</ref> The Haast's eagle also appeared in a 2003 BBC documentary ''[[Monsters We Met]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/monsterswemet/series1.shtml |title=Monsters We Met – About the series |access-date=10 May 2024 |website=[[BBC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060306225829/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/monsterswemet/series1.shtml |archive-date=6 March 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>
+Artwork depicting Haast's eagle now may be viewed at [[OceanaGold]]'s Heritage and Art Park at [[Macraes Mine|Macraes]], [[Otago]], New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Haast Eagle has landed |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/haast-eagle-has-landed |date=19 December 2008 |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=The Otago Daily Times |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510015934/https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/haast-eagle-has-landed |url-status=live }}</ref> The sculpture, weighing approximately {{convert|750|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, standing {{convert|7.5|m|ft}} tall, and depicted with a wingspan of {{convert|11.5|m|ft}} is constructed from stainless steel tube and sheet and was designed and constructed by Mark Hill, a sculptor from [[Arrowtown]], New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/372/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx#video |title=Giant art sculptures pop up in Otago |publisher=3 News |location=New Zealand |quote=Lifestyle – Video on Demand |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518001440/http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/372/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx#video |archive-date=18 May 2014 }} [http://www.3news.co.nz/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/420/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx text version] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324080320/http://www.3news.co.nz/Giant-art-sculptures-pop-up-in-Otago/tabid/420/articleID/85193/cat/58/Default.aspx |date=24 March 2012}}</ref> The Haast's eagle also appeared in a 2003 BBC documentary ''[[Monsters We Met]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/monsterswemet/series1.shtml |title=Monsters We Met – About the series |access-date=10 May 2024 |website=[[BBC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060306225829/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/monsterswemet/series1.shtml |archive-date=6 March 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 There is also a statue depicting the Haast's eagle in [[Karamea]], West Coast. This statue was unveiled by the community and the [[Ngāti Waewae]] iwi.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hokioi statue revives ancestral connection |url=https://waateanews.com/2020/02/24/hokioi-statue-revives-ancestral-connection/ |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=23 March 2024 |work=Waetea News |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723223307/https://waateanews.com/2020/02/24/hokioi-statue-revives-ancestral-connection/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 {{Wikispecies|Harpagornis moorei}}
 {{Commons category|Hieraaetus moorei}}
-* {{cite web |url=http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=710939&coltype=art&regno=2006-0010-1/%2037 |title=Haast's Eagle. Harpagornis moorei |first=Paul |last=Martinson |quote=Artwork produced for the book Extinct Birds of New Zealand by Alan Tennyson |publisher=Te Papa Press |location=Wellington |year=2006 |access-date=6 May 2022 |archive-date=17 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017221727/http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=710939&coltype=art&regno=2006-0010-1%2F%2037 |url-status=dead}}
+* {{cite web |url=http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=710939&coltype=art&regno=2006-0010-1/%2037 |title=Haast's Eagle. Harpagornis moorei |first=Paul |last=Martinson |quote=Artwork produced for the book Extinct Birds of New Zealand by Alan Tennyson |publisher=Te Papa Press |location=Wellington |year=2006 |access-date=6 May 2022 |archive-date=17 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017221727/http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=710939&coltype=art&regno=2006-0010-1%2F%2037 }}
 * [https://www.wingspan.co.nz/extinct_birds_of_prey_new_zealand_haasts_eagle.html Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust]
-* {{cite web |url=http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=364178 |title=Harpagornis Moorei |publisher=Museum of New Zealand |location=Te Papa Tongarewa}}
+* {{cite web |url=http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=364178 |title=Harpagornis Moorei |publisher=Museum of New Zealand |location=Te Papa Tongarewa |access-date=15 February 2009 |archive-date=22 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522111423/http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/ObjectDetails.aspx?oid=364178 }}

Haast's eagle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:58, 7 November 2025

Contents

Taxonomy

Description

Behaviour and ecology

Extinction

Relationship with humans

In popular culture

See also

References

External links

Navigation menu

Haast's eagle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:58, 7 November 2025

Taxonomy

Description

Behaviour and ecology

Extinction

Relationship with humans

In popular culture

See also

References

External links

Navigation menu

Search