Story: Land birds – overview

Haast’s eagle attacking a moa

The Haast’s eagle preyed on large birds such as this moa – the shape and size of its beak matches damage inflicted on moa bones found in swamps. When attacking a moa, an eagle clung to it with its huge talons. The world's largest eagle, the Haast's eagle followed the moa, its main prey, into extinction.

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How to cite this page:

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, 'Land birds – overview - Land bird groups and their origins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/9893/haasts-eagle-attacking-a-moa (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Kerry-Jayne Wilson, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 20 Apr 2015