Haast's eagle

Haast's eagle was the largest eagle ever known.  It had a wingspan of 2.6 metres, weighed up to 14 kilograms, and could kill moa weighing up to 200 kilograms.  Its short, stout legs and feet were exceptionally strong and its claws were huge - the size of a tiger's.  To kill a moa, an eagle would first land on it, then rip open its back to reach its kidneys.

Remains of the eagle have been found at more than 50 South Island fossil sites, mainly in drier eastern areas.

A few prehistoric rock drawings depict the eagle and eagle remains have been found in early middens.  The eagle must have terrified people because it was certainly capable of killing them.  However, even this magnificant species was soon overwhelmed and, like all species of moa, it became extinct soon after human colonisation.