{"product_id":"hieraaetus-moorei-moa","title":"Hieraaetus moorei \/ Moa","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaast’s Eagle and Moas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe relationship between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaast’s Eagle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emoas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e represents one of the most spectacular examples of predator-prey interaction in recent island ecosystems. Both groups evolved exclusively in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNew Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and disappeared shortly after the arrival of Polynesian humans during the 13th and 14th centuries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor thousands of years, moas occupied the role of large terrestrial herbivores in New Zealand, while Haast’s Eagle evolved as their main natural predator, eventually becoming the largest known bird of prey in recent history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaast’s Eagle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHieraaetus moorei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClassification\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaast’s Eagle, currently classified as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHieraaetus moorei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, belonged to the family \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccipitridae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the group that includes true eagles, hawks, kites and other diurnal birds of prey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor a long time, it was placed in the genus \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarpagornis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. However, genetic analyses showed that it was closely related to much smaller eagles of the genus \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHieraaetus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This indicates that it evolved gigantism from a relatively small Australian ancestor within a remarkably short evolutionary period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was the largest known eagle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody length: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1.1–1.4 m\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWingspan: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.5–3 m\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstimated female weight: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10–18 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstimated male weight: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9–12 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFemales were considerably larger than males, showing extreme sexual dimorphism even by the standards of birds of prey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough some modern eagles may reach similar wingspans, none combine such high body mass with such powerful musculature and robust limbs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnatomy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaast’s Eagle possessed an anatomy highly specialized for hunting large terrestrial prey. Its most distinctive features included:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptionally robust legs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery thick toes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnormous talons, up to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7–9 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e long.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMassive skull.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeeply curved beak.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePowerful hindlimb musculature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe strength of its legs has been compared to that of large predatory cats. Biomechanical estimates suggest that it may have exerted gripping forces greater than those observed in any modern eagle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHunting Strategy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaast’s Eagle probably behaved as an ambush predator. Its attacks may have been launched from:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpen woodland.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForest margins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMountainous areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransitional zones between dense vegetation and open ground.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts hunting strategy would have consisted of descending at high speed onto the prey, striking it violently and driving its talons into vulnerable areas such as the pelvis, back, neck or head. It would then have used its beak to inflict lethal wounds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome studies have suggested that it may have reached impact speeds exceeding \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e80 km\/h\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making its attacks extremely violent and highly effective.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Moas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrder \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDinornithiformes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClassification\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoas were giant flightless birds endemic to New Zealand. They belonged to the order \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDinornithiformes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and had no direct equivalent in modern fauna.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeveral species are known from different genera, including:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDinornis robustus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDinornis novaezealandiae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePachyornis elephantopus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEuryapteryx curtus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe largest species reached exceptional dimensions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSouth Island Giant Moa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDinornis robustus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) could reach:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum height with the neck extended: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3.5–3.7 m\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstimated weight: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200–250 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNorth Island Giant Moa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDinornis novaezealandiae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) could reach:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight: up to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3 m\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstimated weight: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e150–200 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn several species, females were significantly larger than males, showing marked sexual dimorphism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnatomy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoas displayed a highly specialized morphology for terrestrial life. Their main anatomical features included:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComplete absence of external wings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLong, flexible neck.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery robust legs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBulky body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRelatively small skull.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeak adapted for herbivorous feeding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoas are the only known birds to have completely lost any visible external wing structures, distinguishing them even from other flightless birds such as ostriches, emus or kiwis.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey were specialized herbivores and occupied different ecological niches depending on the species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir diet included:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShoots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruits.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFerns.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTender branches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLow and shrubby vegetation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDifferent moa species partitioned the available resources according to feeding height, vegetation type and occupied habitat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePredator-Prey Relationship\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe evolutionary interaction between Haast’s Eagle and the moas produced one of the most unusual ecological systems on the planet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaast’s Eagle was virtually the only natural predator capable of regularly killing large moas. Analyses of its talons, skull, limbs and biomechanics suggest that it could take down:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJuveniles with relative ease.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarge subadults.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdults of medium-sized species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePossibly weakened or vulnerable individuals of larger species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the case of the largest \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDinornis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the eagle likely targeted young, sick or weakened individuals, or carried out highly precise attacks on vulnerable areas such as the neck and head.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe predatory pressure exerted by Haast’s Eagle may have influenced vigilance behaviour, grouping patterns and habitat use in some moa populations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtinction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe arrival of the first Māori people in New Zealand, around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAD 1280\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, caused a rapid transformation of the island ecosystem.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoas were intensively hunted for:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir large amount of meat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir large eggs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir bones, which were used as raw material for tools and objects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWithin only a few centuries, all moa species disappeared.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce its main food source became extinct, Haast’s Eagle also disappeared shortly afterwards, probably during the 15th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Importance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ecological system formed by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHieraaetus moorei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and the moas represents one of the best recent examples of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIsland gigantism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRapid evolution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePredator-prey specialization.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdaptation to isolated ecosystems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vulnerability of island faunas to human arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of a bird of prey weighing up to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e hunting flightless birds of more than \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e has no modern equivalent. For this reason, the relationship between Haast’s Eagle and the moas represents one of the most extraordinary episodes in recent evolutionary history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Diorama Measurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScale 1:20 (Complete)\u003cbr\u003eLength 92 mm\u003cbr\u003eHeight 150 mm\u003cbr\u003eWidth 95 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dino and Dog","offers":[{"title":"1:20 \/ Sin imprimar","offer_id":54851046015244,"sku":"DC-1428-160-SINI","price":49.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Imprimado","offer_id":54851046048012,"sku":"DC-1428-160-IMPRI","price":56.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Pintado a mano","offer_id":54851046080780,"sku":"DC-1428-160-PINTA","price":163.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/Haast_1.jpg?v=1782913542","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/hieraaetus-moorei-moa","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}