The world of eagles is full of fascinating stories of power, domination and mystery. Among these avian giants, Haast’s eagle (Hieraaetus moorei) is the largest eagle that ever existed. This now extinct raptor once ruled New Zealand’s South Island, weighing up to 18 kg and measuring almost 3 meters in wingspan.
Twice as large as today’s heaviest eagle, the harpy eagle, Haast’s eagle was a fearsome predator capable of taking down prey as large as the enormous flightless moa. Legends of its power have even fueled Maori mythology, inspiring tales of the monstrous pouākai. Although it became extinct around 1445 due to loss of prey, its legacy remains unmatched in size and strength, casting shadows over the rich history of the world’s most fearsome birds of prey.

Haast’s Eagle: the largest birds of prey in the world

Haast’s eagle is not the only legendary raptor to have captured the imagination. Dynatoaetus gaffae, or mighty Gaff’s eagle, a recently discovered species in Australia, weighed up to 12kg and had a similarly formidable wingspan with potentially longer talons than Haast’s eagle. In Cuba, the extinct Gigantohierax was another massive eagle, weighing more than 10 kg, known to hunt large prey like sloths and giant rodents.

Predatory behavior of Haast’s eagle

As the main predator of New Zealand’s South Island, the Haast’s eagle preyed on ducks, swans, geese and enormous flightless moa, which could weigh up to 200 kg , more than ten times the weight of the eagle itself. Equipped with dagger-like talons and a powerful beak, Haast’s eagle could bring down these giant birds with remarkable ease.
Evidence from Maori remains and rock art suggests that the eagle had a pale head and fed by poking its head into the body cavity of its prey to extract vital organs, similar to modern vultures.

The myth surrounding Haast’s eagle hunting humans

The Haast Eagle is believed to have inspired the pouākai, a bird in Maori legend said to be capable of hunting and killing humans. Although the eagle is large enough to potentially prey on humans, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. However, the extinction of the moa, hunted to exhaustion by the Maori, led to the disappearance of the Haast’s eagle in the 15th century, as it lost its main food source.

Are modern eagles a threat to humans?

Although harpy eagles are known to snatch monkeys from treetops, there is no evidence that they or other large eagles prey on humans. However, the crowned eagle presents a unique case. Although smaller than many large eagles (4.5 kg and 1.8 meters wingspan), it is considered one of the strongest eagles relative to its body size.
There are recorded incidents of crowned eagles attacking and harming children. The most significant piece of evidence comes from the discovery in 1924 of a hominid skull belonging to Australopithecus africanus. This fossil showed damage and puncture marks consistent with the claws of modern crowned eagles, suggesting that this ancient ancestor met its end due to a predatory attack from above.
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