Extinct New Zealand eagle may have eaten humans

hostednews/ ^ | 20 hours ago | MICHAEL CASEY

[JoeProBono]

Sophisticated computer scans of fossils have helped solve a mystery over the nature of a giant, ancient raptor known as the Haast's eagle which became extinct about 500 years ago, researchers said Friday. The researchers say they have determined that the eagle — which lived in the mountains of New Zealand and weighed about 40 pounds (18 kilograms) — was a predator and not a mere scavenger as many thought.

Much larger than modern eagles, Haast's eagle would have swooped to prey on flightless birds — and possibly even the rare unlucky human.

[JoeProBono]

[Brilliant]

My suspicion is that’s what doomed it to extinction. Those pesky humans just have no sense of humor.

[Mr. Mojo]

which became extinct about 500 years ago

Only 500? Incredible.

[CottShop]

Saw this this morning, and saw it on tv awhile ago too- This bird was HUGE- it was able to kill birds larger than ostrachis’ (sp?) by puncturing their skulls with it’s claws- they laid a normal sized eagle’s skull next to one of htese giants, and it was amazing hte size difference. They’ve know about htis bird for a goodl ong time now- not sure why this is ‘news’ now? This giant has always been a threat to humans because of it’s size- I’m sure it did eat humans from time to time- but they’ve known this was a possibility for a logn time now

[robomatik]

"Much larger than modern eagles..."

i wonder if the author has ever seen a golden eagle up close?

i have. I was hiking on the southern ute reservation outside of durango, co., and i will say that it appeared to be close to 40 lbs. i know, i know birds have hollow bones and lots of feathers, but when you see one in the wild up close, you will NEVER forget it.

yes that's a mountain goat!

[fwdude]

Of course, they had to be big. How else would they be able to carry a hobbit or a wizard?

[null and void]

ping

[dog breath]

If they were still around here they would definitely have to put up a sign saying don't feed the eagles for the benefit of the morons. The sign would eventually have a pair of shoes next to it, some blood spray across it, and a dropped camera with a great close up of the eagle.

[Androcles]

I’ve always been conviced that this bird is why 90% of the unique native bird life in NZ evolved to be nocturnal.

[Drango]

Extinct? SOB...Bush’s fault!

[bmwcyle]

Thunderbird?

[Deaf Smith]

A little early to be thinking about drinking, isn’t it?

[JoeProBono]

[gardengirl]

You keep me in stitches! Where do you find all these cool articles/pics?! LOL

Thanks for the humor breaks.

[JoeProBono]

[dynachrome]

“Extinct”

It probably bit Helen Thomas

[Yardstick]

Most likely this eagle, also known as the Hobbit Eagle, went extinct when it’s short, hairy-footed prey went extinct.

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

Hehe

[reg45]

It became extinct only 500 years ago! Must have been caused by Columbus discovering America.</sarcasm>