Science
The Tales of the Eagles: Rulers of the Ancient Skies
Kisah Para Elang is a collection of articles about eagle species, presented in a narrative style flavored with legend and storytelling, yet without leaving out the scientific elements.
Hola Cak/Yu Komandan VIVA DIAZ !!!
In the previous article, we discussed the meaning of the name DIAZ in this nature-lovers' organization (read >> From European Explorers to Ancient Eagles). In it, we included the profile of a European explorer, as well as ancient eagles and the flying reptile Pteranodon. For those who don't know it yet, feel free to read it first, so it will be even more fun hehe...
Kisah Para Elang (The Tales of the Eagles) is a series of articles discussing eagle species, wrapped in a writing style with a touch of storytelling or tales, yet without leaving out the scientific elements.
Please note that these articles might never be finished without the support of friends who have given their support, both as moral encouragement and in searching for literature. For that, we would like to express our thanks to:
General Chairman of OPA DIAZ Redy Apriyadi - D. 139140 Elang Borneo
The General Board of OPA DIAZ
Yoga Ahmad Alauddin - D. 139.2024.33.12 Elang Bondol
Hamim Mustofa / Topeng - D. 13994 Elang Ular
Hamim Tohari / Komandan - D. 13960 Elang Jawa
Nabila Quratu'aini Khairunnisa / Jaenab - D. 139178 Elang Bondol
Sabda Gemaning Azhar / Megantropus - NA. XVII.24.077.ASP (MAPALA ASPAL Intitut Asia Malang)
Betafonda Ramadhan Cahya / Pluto - XXIV-134/KE/24 (MPA Kepak Elang Universitas Bhineka Nusantara Malang)
The Entire Extended Family of OPA DIAZ
The Entire Extended Family of MAPALA ASPAL Institut Asia Malang
The Entire Extended Family of MPA Kepak Elang Universitas Bhineka Nusantara Malang
In addition, we sincerely hope for constructive criticism and suggestions that can serve as material for evaluating future writing, so that later articles can be even better and further build up this blog.
PROLOGUE
"The eagle flies high as if without limits. It roams the world in independence. It is rarely seen and rarely heard. It is not a flock of noisy songbirds.."
-Galileo Galilei in The Assayer-
Long before we (humans, Homo sapiens) set foot on the ground, the earth was ruled by various forms of life, on land, in the sea and in the sky. These were very different forms of life, primitive or even strange, yet beautiful to study for some of us. For millions of years, vast lakes and swamps spread across open plains covered with tall grasses or ancient deciduous forests, while the ceaseless activity of tectonic plates built towering mountains. These differing environmental conditions created their own challenges for the creatures living in them, so that life that seems unique and strange to us emerged as a response to the environment, through adaptation and evolution that took place over a very long time.
In our previous discussion, we learned about the flying reptile Pteraodon that lived in the Mesozoic Era, precisely in the Late Cretaceous Period about 86 - 84.5 million years ago. Although this creature has no kinship with any species today, scientists believe that Pteranodon was a distant ancestor of birds as well as crocodiles and alligators. Differences in environmental conditions, climate change, disasters and natural selection supported the occurrence of evolution and even extinction, which led to the emergence of new forms of life in the ages that followed.
The oldest ancient eagle ever found is estimated to have lived in the Cenozoic Era, precisely in the Late Oligocene period about 25 million years ago, long after the last Pteranodon lived and the first modern humans (Homo sapiens) appeared. Archaehierax sylvestris is a bird believed to be the oldest eagle and lived in the dense forests of ancient Australia. But before going too far, perhaps it is worth getting to know eagles themselves first.
Eagles are an important group in the family Accipitridae under the order Accipotriformes. Besides eagles, other birds such as goshawks, harriers, buteos and Old World vultures are also part of this family. Eagles themselves do not belong to a single genus but are spread across several different genera, with classifications that vary depending on reference sources from ever-developing research. Bird genera such as Aquila, Haliaeetus, Spizaetus, Harpia, Circus, and Ictinaetus are the main genera that include eagles, while other genera such as Pithecophaga, Polemaetus and Gyps are also classified as eagles. In a broader sense, eagles are active predatory birds of the family Accipitridae characterized by large to medium size, a strong, curved and sharp beak for tearing the flesh of prey, and a more adaptive habitat, so they can be found in forests, grasslands, mountains and coastal areas. In other words, the term eagle itself sometimes has subjective characteristics and may be understood differently in some regions.
ANCIENT FOREST EAGLE - Archaehierax Sylvestris
Around 25 million years ago in the Cenozoic Era, specifically during the late Oligocene period in Australia, in the midst of an ancient landscape full of mystery and the forces of nature, a group of formidable predators ruled the skies. Archaehierax sylvestris, the oldest eagle species ever discovered. With sharp eyes and unrivaled strength, they occupied the role of apex predator.
Archaehierax sylvestris
Source: bbc.com
Archaehierax sylvestris literally means "Ancient Forest Eagle". It is named so for good reason: Archaehierax sylvestris inhabited the dense forests of Australia. This eagle had adapted to be an active hunter and to fly within the forest, thanks to its strong short wings and long legs with a wide span.
The fossil of this eagle was first discovered in 2016 by a team of scientists from the Flinders University Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, or the Vertebrate Paleontology Group, led by Dr. Ellen Mather. They found it in the prehistoric sediments of Lake Pinpa, South Australia, an area that was once thought to be a dense forest. This fossil is the most complete eagle fossil ever found and recorded from the Oligocene period anywhere in the world, consisting of 63 bones, and considering its role as an apex predator, its population must have been small. After its discovery, the fossil was studied and classified as a new species named Archaehierax sylvestris, and the official description and research results were only published in 2022 in the journal Historical Biology.
The 63-bone fossil find of Archaehierax sylvestris by the Flinders University team of palaeontology experts
Source: bbc.com
Perhaps some of us think that an "Ancient Eagle", or anything from the old world, must have been enormously large. Perhaps it has been planted in our heads that way, like some video "memes" such as "pelan - pelan pak sopir, pelan - pelan pak sopir" ("slowly, Mr. driver, slowly, Mr. driver") 😂.
For some creatures, especially those from the Carboniferous period, around 359 - 299 million years ago, this may be true. However, not everything from the ancient world was big, and this Archaehierax sylvestris is an example.
Based on its fossil, Archaehierax sylvestris had short wings. This creature evolved to live in dense forest environments, where wide wings would certainly restrict movement and make flight maneuvers between trees difficult. Even compared with modern eagles such as Aquila audax, better known as the Wedge-tailed Eagle, which is the largest eagle in Australia today, Archaehierax sylvestris had a tendency toward a smaller build.
Comparison of the Tarsometartarsus leg bone of Archaehierax sylvestris (left) and Aquila audax (right)
Nevertheless, Archaehierax sylvestris is still believed to have been the ruler of the sky, in other words an apex predator. Experts believe this creature was probably an opportunistic predator that preyed on small to medium-sized animals such as mammals, reptiles and birds, as well as other small animals available in its forest habitat. In addition, judging from its estimated wing shape, Archaehierax sylvestris was probably a slow flier better suited to hunting tactics in the forest. They were ambush hunters that waited for prey from their perch and then darted out to attack.
Much is still unknown about this Ancient Eagle, including its reproductive patterns, whether it was solitary like modern eagles or lived in groups, and its lifespan. However, based on existing speculation, Archaehierax sylvestris had a lifespan like that of modern eagles of similar size, namely 20 - 30 years, and is thought to have been diurnal, or active during the day.
TRUE EAGLES OF AQUILA - Aquila nipaloides and Aquila bivia
As I said earlier, eagles do not belong to a single genus but are divided into several genera under the family Accipitridae; the genus Aquila is a genus that contains only eagle species. The name Aquila itself can be translated as Eagle and is known as the "True Eagle". The name Aquila probably comes from the term Aquilus, meaning "dark-colored".
Unlike Archaehierax, Aquila is still alive today, with several species around the world. Aquila eagles that are still alive today include Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagle), Aquila nipalensis (steppe eagle) and Aquila heliaca (imperial eagle). However, two species among them are also among the oldest eagles whose fossils have ever been found, although sadly we can no longer see them. These two species are Aquila nipaloides and Aquila bivia.
Aquila nipaloides
In ancient times, over a vast grassland or forested region of Europe and Asia, an eagle once ruled as king of the skies. With a wingspan almost as long as the height of a modern adult, it seemed to display its power and might as a predator of the sky. It circled across the air like a combat reconnaissance aircraft on the battlefield, a terrifying menace to enemy infantry. Then, once the target prey was found, it seemed to report like a fighter pilot and say "target supoted", then maneuvered into a dive like the German Junkers Ju 87, or Stuka, of World War II about to drop its bomb. "STRIKE !!!". Afterwards, the prey, a rodent, was successfully ambushed. This eagle has the Latin name Aquila nipaloides.
The German Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka bomber diving to bomb Allied forces in World War II
Source: thisdayinaviation.com
Aquila nipaloides is an ancient eagle believed to have lived in the Middle Miocene Period, about 15 million years ago, and several other studies suggest this eagle may have survived into the Pliocene Period, about 2.3 - 5.3 million years ago. Based on fossil finds, this eagle lived in Europe and Asia, so it can also be concluded that its habitat was probably forested areas and open plains such as grasslands or steppes.
This eagle has characteristics similar to its living relative, Aquila nipalensis, or the Steppe Eagle, which often leads scientists to draw comparisons between the two to look for clues about the characteristics of A. nipaloides, including its reproduction, hunting patterns, lifespan and other characteristics in the past. In fact, A. nipaloides is often redirected to the Steppe Eagle in Internet searches. Beyond that, based on this comparison, A. nipaloides probably hunted as in the story above, that is, by soaring in circles to detect prey and then ambushing it with a diving or swooping motion downward like the Steppe Eagle. Rodents, small mammals, or other birds are thought to have been the main prey of A. nipaloides.
Aquila nipalensis (Modern Steppe Eagle)
Source: observation.org
To date, experts cannot give a definite answer about the exact size of this eagle because all the information is based on estimates from fossil finds. However, experts believe from its fossils that A. nipaloides probably had a body shape and weight almost the same as the modern Steppe Eagle, or even larger. The Steppe Eagle, or Aquila nipalensis, has a body length of 62 - 81 cm and a wingspan of 165 - 200 cm, even reaching 262 cm in females, with a weight of 2 - 3.5 kg in males and 2.3 - 4.9 kg in females. With that size, A. nipaloides can be called large: compared with the average height of people in Indonesia, this eagle reaches almost half a person's height and its wingspan is almost equal to a person's height. Likewise its weight, which may be about the same as or even heavier than the 2.5 kg of rice given as zakat fitrah or an empty 3 kg "melon" LPG cylinder.
Aquila bivia
In another part of the world in a younger era, at the edge of a forest in the Americas, an eagle chose a clever tactic. Guerrilla tactics are perhaps the combat tactics best suited to compare with this eagle's hunting tactics. It waits patiently from a height yet moves swiftly as soon as it sees prey pass by, much like guerrilla tactics in which soldiers are positioned hidden on higher ground to carry out sabotage. There is no need to be seen, yet the enemy knows whom they should fear.
Aquila bivia lived only in the early Pleistocene, about 1.7 - 1.6 million years ago. Fossils of this eagle have been found at only two distant locations, namely Inglis 1A, Citrus, Florida and 111 Ranch, Graham, Arizona, United States. For this reason, the eagle was named "Bivia", which in Latin means two ways, referring to its fossil distribution at two distant locations. Based on the geographical conditions of the places where the fossils were found, the A. bivia eagle is thought to have lived in a habitat more open than that of A. nipaloensis open or semi-open such as grassland, steppe, or forest edges with hilly terrain.
Fossil Bone Finds of Aquila bivia at Inglis 1A and 111 Ranch
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History
Much like A. nipaloides, experts also often use a comparison with a living relative to estimate its characteristics, namely the Golden Eagle, or Aquila chrysaetos. Experts suspect that A. bivia hunted by waiting on high places such as large rocks or trees and then ambushing its prey with a quick attack from the air, similar to the modern golden eagle. Its prey is thought to have been small to medium-sized animals such as four-legged mammals, large birds, or reptiles.
Aquila chrysaetos (Modern Golden Eagle)
Source: ebird.org
A. bivia also had a larger body than A. nipaloides and is estimated to be 10–15% larger than the Golden Eagle, with a body length of about 77–104 cm. Using the same comparison with the average height of an adult in Indonesia, when standing this eagle could reach up to a human's stomach or chest. Moreover, its wingspan of around 198–276 cm is much wider than a human's height, and can even exceed one and a half times a human's height. As for its weight, A. bivia is estimated to have weighed 3–6 kg, almost approaching a fully filled 8 kg "melon" LPG cylinder.
THE FAINT MAHARAJA OF NUSANTARA - Spilornis robustus
The Nusantara archipelago, with its forest-covered tropical territory, high tectonic activity, and rich, fertile lands. A group of eagles became lords of the sky, ruling and enthroned above the glittering green emerald jewel. They were rulers before the heroic tales of the kings we know from school history books. Although their story was not much recorded, it can still be heard whispering like a lullaby.
As of the writing of this article, it is regrettable that information about Spilornis robustus is extremely scarce. I myself did not find a single scientific reference specific to this eagle species, only general scientific sources available on the internet. Even when I tried to use AI to help find sources, the AI only answered with very little information, along with labels such as "not found in search results".
However, from the little information available, Spilornis robustus is said to have been an eagle that lived in the Early Pleistocene, around 1.8 million to 800 thousand years ago. Fossils of this eagle have been found in several areas of Java Island, Indonesia. From these fossil finds, Spilornis robustus is presumed to have inhabited the open areas and forests of Java.
In fact, there are still living relatives of this eagle among the members of the genus Spilornis spread across several regions of Asia, from western India and Nepal continuing east to China, then south across Southeast Asia, the Malay Peninsula, and the Greater Sunda Islands to Palawan in the Philippines. The living member of the genus Spilornis is the Crested Serpent Eagle, or Spilornis cheela. However, S. robustus is estimated to have been larger than its relative, although its exact size is unknown. In addition, its diet is thought to have probably consisted of snakes, lizards, birds, and small mammals, like its living relatives. However, because of its larger size, it may also have preyed on larger animals.
Crested Serpent Eagle, or Spilornis cheela
Source: id.wikipedia.org
The reason for this eagle's extinction also cannot be determined; experts suspect it may have resulted from several causes. Some of them are related to climate change, habitat loss, or competition with other species. In other words, its extinction was most likely caused by a decline in food sources, which in turn could have been caused by the factors mentioned.
THE MIGHTY GAFFE EAGLE - Dynantoaetus gaffae
Back to the Australian continent, around 700,000 to 50,000 years ago in the Pleistocene Period, there lived a giant eagle, the largest ever to exist on that continent. This eagle may have seemed a symbol of the power of the sky, or of aerial supremacy in its era. Its name was Dynantoaetus gaffae. The name Dynantoaetus itself comes from the Latin "dynatós" meaning mighty or strong and "āetós" meaning eagle, while gaffae is the name of the expert Priscilla Gaff, who was the first to discuss this eagle's fossils in her thesis.
The Gaffe Eagle had an extraordinary size and was the largest apex predator of its time, perhaps even up to the present. The Gaffe Eagle's wingspan could reach 3 meters, with extremely strong talons up to 30 cm long, estimated to be capable of gripping a kangaroo. Yes, you are not misreading or reading too fast: they were quite capable of seizing a "kangaroo".
Aquila audax (Modern Wedge-tailed Eagle) Source: id.wikiedia.org
First, to try to make a comparison, have you ever seen a kangaroo in Australia? Or have you ever seen the video at the link below?
See >>> A Kangaroo Gets an "Ohlaraga Greeting" From a Man in Australia
The video shows an unfortunate dog being seized by an adult kangaroo. Take a good look at its muscles. Doesn't that kangaroo look like a model on a GYM poster? Although the kangaroo eventually backed off after being punched by the dog's owner, who looked like Muhammad Ali in the ring, just look at its height: that kangaroo was almost as tall as an adult human.
Besides kangaroos, the Gaffae Eagle is also thought to have preyed on giant flightless birds such as the Moa, as well as other megafauna that lived in Australia at that time. Much about this eagle's hunting tactics remains unknown. However, its large body would have allowed the Gaffae Eagle to hunt big creatures and carry them off in flight.
An artist's illustration of a giant Australian eagle swooping down on a Moa
Source : nationalgeographic.grid.id
Fossils of this eagle were found in several places by cave researchers, or "Cavers", from Flinders University in Australia, namely Naracoorte Caves, Wellington Caves, near Cooper Creek in the Lake Eyre Basin, and Mairs Cave in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Experts then combined the fossil remains found at these various sites. "After half a century, and several delays caused by the pandemic, an expedition with volunteers from the University Speleological Society found another 28 bones scattered among the rocks at a location indicated by one of this museum's relics. We were thrilled to find more bones from most of the skeleton so we could create a better picture and description of these long-lost giant birds," said Dr. Ellen Mather (in news.flinders.edu.au). Based on these fossil finds, the habitat of the Gaffae Eagle is also estimated: it probably once lived in forests and riverbanks across eastern Australia.
Paleontologists and Cavers from Flinders University descend into a cave in the Flinders Ranges to find the remains of the giant eagle. Photo: Aaron Camens
Source : news.flinders.edu.au
Efforts to retrieve bones from the rocky floor of Mairs Cave, Flinders Ranges. Photo: Aaron Camens - Source : news.flinders.edu.au
In addition, from the fossil finds, experts can estimate its body size. As mentioned above, the Gaffae Eagle's wingspan was 3 meters, which is certainly much taller than an adult in Indonesia. Its body weight ranged from 12-18 kg, which is equal to or even heavier than your carrier pack when you climb a mountain. Although there is no definite information about its height, this eagle is estimated to have been 2 times larger than the Wedge-tailed Eagle, the largest eagle of today, and these 2 variables show us that the Gaffae Eagle was truly a mighty eagle.
The first fossil remains of Dynatoaetus gaffae were collected from Mairs Cave in the Flinders Ranges Source : nationalgeographic.grid.id
Comparison of the tarsometatarsus bones (leg bones) of Dynatoaetus gaffae and the Wedge-tailed Eagle, with estimated silhouettes of the living animals above. Graphic by Ellen Mather (Flinders University) - Source : news.flinders.edu.au
Although the Gaffae Eagle is called an eagle, it is actually closely related taxonomically to Old World scavenging birds such as the vultures of Africa and Asia. However, besides scavengers, its taxon is also close to the monkey-eating eagle of the Philippines that is nearly extinct, namely the Philippine Eagle or Pithecophaga jefferyi.
A Philippine Eagle or Monkey-eating Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) pouncing on a primate
Source : youtube.com
GIANT EAGLES OF CUBA - Gigantohierax suarezi and Gigantohierax itchei
In the ancient skies of Cuba, above dense forests and vast savannas, soared Gigantohierax suarezi, the unrivaled ruler of the Cuban sky. With its towering wingspan, it carved a path among the clouds, its sharp eyes surveying the land below. Every movement embodied strength and grace, a symbol of dominance in a wild and merciless world. It was an apex predator, a living legend whose existence struck fear into the hearts of all creatures below.
Alongside it flew Gigantohierax itchei, its loyal sibling and an agile hunter. Though smaller in size, it possessed unmatched speed and agility, complementing its brother's raw power with deadly precision. Together, they formed an unstoppable partnership, hunting side by side, sharing the spoils of victory, and ensuring the continuation of their lineage in an ever-changing world. They were Gigantohierax, the giant eagles of Cuba, and their story is carved into the wind and the rocks, an enduring testament to a majesty that once existed.
Illustration of the giant eagle Gigantohierax by Hodari Nundu, an animator and artist
Source: birdnote.org
Gigantohierax is a genus that includes 2 species, namely G. suarezi and G. itchei. Although it cannot be confirmed to this day whether the 2 species interacted, they are believed to have lived in the same era and even side by side. These eagles are estimated to have existed during the Quaternary Period, around 1 - 0.1 million years ago.
Both G. suarezi and G. itchei were very large birds. G. suarezi was one of the largest Accipitridae (the family of birds of prey) that ever lived in the Americas, even far larger than the modern harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), which is currently the largest eagle on that continent. Gigantohierax may have had a total length of more than 30 cm (12 inches) and is estimated to have been 40-50% heavier than the harpy eagle. Meanwhile, G. itchei was roughly 29% smaller than G. suarezi.
The modern harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) has a body almost as big as an adult human - Source: tagar.id
Fossils of G. suarezi were the first to be found, in cave deposits in Cuba, and were first described in 2002 by Arredondo and Arredondo. The second species, G. itchei , was only described in 2020 by Wiliam Suarez based on fossil finds in the tar seeps of Las Breas de San Felipe, Cuba.
Their name is taken from the word "giganto" meaning giant or very large and "hierax" meaning bird of prey. The species name "suarezi" is taken from the name of William Suárez, a Cuban paleontologist who also described the species Gigantohierax itchei in 2020. As for the species "itchei", it possibly also refers to the place where the fossil was found or the expert who found it; in other words, there is still not enough information to know the meaning of the word.
To this day, experts have not been able to conclude what prey they hunted. However, Cuba in the Pleistocene was inhabited by various kinds of mammals such as giant ground sloths, large rodents, and primates, and Gigantohierax likely preyed on them. The illustration above also depicts Gigantohierax about to prey on a mammal, namely a Caribbean monk seal pup. In addition, other animals such as smaller birds and reptiles such as crocodiles and large lizards that lived in that era may also have been their prey. Some sources also say that carrion was a food source for them, especially when they had difficulty finding live prey.
THE SKY KING OF THE ANCIENT HAWAIIAN ISLANDS - Haliaeetus sp.
In ancient times, when the mighty Hawaiian volcanoes had spewed hot lava and the ocean stretched around them, an apex predator king kept watch from the heights over the expanse of the islands. He was Haliaeetus, a distant relative of the white-tailed eagle that now reigns over the skies of Eurasia and Alaska.
Its life began more than 100,000 years ago, around the end of the Pleistocene Epoch. Its body was mightier than those of its living relatives, and it may have been the largest of all its kin. The Ancient Hawaiian Eagle had a wingspan of about 1.78 - 2.45 m, which it used to traverse expanses of forest and open plains on the islands of O'ahu, Moloka'i and Maui. Although there is to date no record of how or where this king lived and nested, it is believed that it roamed all corners of the islands, from the interior lands to near the shoreline.
A 2015 study mentioned a 3,500-year-old ancient eagle fossil on Maui. The study also showed that this eagle had a lineage different from its relatives, including Haliaeetus albicilla or the White-tailed Eagle. Thus, the current assumption, although the species has not yet been described, is that this eagle is probably a new species found within the genus Haliaeetus.
Haliaeetus albicilla (White-tailed Eagle)
Source: e-bird.org
Its body is estimated to have weighed around 3.1 - 6.9 kg with a length of 66 - 94 cm, which also made it the largest predator of its time. Its prey was probably small mammals and flightless birds that lived in Hawaii at the time. For years, the Ancient Hawaiian Eagle lived in isolation there until it became an inseparable part of ancient Hawaiian nature as a guardian of the ecosystem.
However, we all understand that nature is dynamic. It changes slowly and gradually, and every living thing within it changes along with it. The presence of humans, with their increasingly massive activities, disturbed the ecosystem and reduced food sources. In the end, before 1500 CE, the Hawaiian eagle king vanished from the sky and was never seen again.
HAAST'S EAGLE, THE FLYING TIGER - Hieraaetus moorei
Have you ever watched The Lord of The Rings or The Hobbit movies? Do you remember the scene in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) where the eagles rescue the dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield, together with Bilbo and Gandalf, from the pursuit of the wargs and orcs led by Azog the Defiler, carrying them off to a safer place? Or the scene where the eagles rescue Frodo and Sam from the eruption of Mount Doom in Mordor after the One Ring of Sauron is successfully destroyed?
These eagles are called The Eagles in the films, protagonist creatures who side with the Valar and Maiar as well as the loyal peoples of elves, dwarves and men. They are told to have helped the alliance of men, dwarves and elves fight the darkness in many battles in Middle Earth. Among those written about in the novels, the biggest and strongest, the king of the eagles himself, is named The King of Eagles "Thorondor".
The King of Eagles Thorondor (right) and Gandalf the Grey or Mithrandir (left)
However, of course, in the real world there is no bird big enough to be ridden by a wizard like Gandalf in the story, or even by a Hobbit. To this day, the record holder as the largest eagle is Hieraaetus moorei also known as Haast's Eagle of New Zealand. The natural conditions and environment of New Zealand at that time were the factors that made it a giant eagle.
Back to the main topic ...
In ancient times, when human civilization had only just begun to develop, there lived a legend, a true king of eagles of extraordinary size. It was the largest of the many species categorized as eagles to this day. When it flew, its wingspan alone could shake the heart of anyone who saw it, sending them running in fear. It was Haast's Eagle, the ruler of the ancient skies of New Zealand.
According to the latest research, Haast's Eagle lived from around the late Pleistocene to the early Holocene and went extinct around 1400 CE. Most of its fossils have been found on the South Island of New Zealand, with the initial discovery at Glenmark Estate, Canterbury, South Island, which became the most significant find. These fossils were generally found in that area, especially in caves, swamps, and other natural traps.
Illustration of Haast's Eagle (Hieraaetus moorei)
Source: nationalgeographic.grid.id
Based on the fossils collected, Haast's Eagle is estimated to have weighed around 13 - 18 kg, about the same as or even heavier than your carrier when climbing a mountain. Its wingspan was around 2 - 3 m, which is longer than the average human height in Indonesia. The reason this creature is also called the flying tiger is its talons, which reached 9 cm in length, about the same as when I tried measuring my index finger.
Comparison of physical size between Haast's Eagle, a human and a harrier
Source: prehistoric-wildlife.com
Scientists believe that, judging from New Zealand's natural conditions at the time, the Moa was its main prey. The Moa was a giant flightless bird estimated to weigh up to 230 kg, and Haast's Eagle is believed to have been the actor behind the balance of the Moa population at that time. Besides the Moa, several other medium to large creatures such as birds or other land animals were also prey of Haast's Eagle. Even in the opinion of some scientists, humans were also a healthy prey for this eagle.
Some sources say that Haast's Eagle is connected to the legends or mythology of the Maori people, the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand. Far different from our earlier comparison with the eagles of The Lord of The Rings or The Hobbit films, who are protagonist creatures, in Maori legend the Pouakai or Hokioi is portrayed as somewhat fiercer. The Pouakai or Hokioi is a mythological creature in the form of a giant bird that often abducted or preyed on humans, both children and even adults.
Illustration of the Pouakai or Hokioi creature in Maori mythology
Source: idntimes.com
Paul Scofield, quoted on smithsonianmag.com, a researcher in the study of Haast's Eagle, agrees that the Pouakai or Hokioi was real. He said, "This science supports the Maori mythology of the legendary pouakai or hokioi, a giant bird that could swoop on people in the mountains and was capable of killing a small child. They had the ability not only to strike with their talons but also to close their talons and pierce fairly hard objects such as a pelvis. The bird was designed as a killing machine," he told the Independent.
Although the legend says these eagles carried off or snatched their prey, this seems somewhat plausible, especially since Haast's Eagle holds the record as the largest eagle. Even so, the question remains a hotly debated topic among scientists. Even the most powerful modern eagles, such as the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), can usually only carry prey weighing no more than half their own body weight. Haast's Eagle, at 10-18 kg, could most likely only carry prey far smaller than itself. Going by the comparison with the Golden Eagle, Haast's Eagle still would not have been able to carry a Moa, which weighed much more. So it is most likely that Haast's Eagle hunted by pouncing on its prey, or, if it really did snatch prey, that the prey was small, less than half of its body weight.
However, as in the stories of the previous eagles, rulers of the sky, it cannot be denied that nature can change quickly. Humans are also still the main actors behind that rapid change. Several sources state that Haast's Eagle went extinct not long after the arrival of humans, namely the Maori people. Competition for food, habitat destruction and hunting by the newcomers are the factors considered most plausible.
The Moa, previously the main prey of Haast's Eagle, also began to be hunted by humans. The growing human population made people ever more eager to clear new land, so the living space of Haast's Eagle became increasingly narrow. Moreover, human instinct about the threat of predators led people to regard Haast's Eagle as a competitor, both for food and for territory, so it too began to be hunted. This went on until Haast's Eagle, the Flying Tiger, began to disappear from the skies of New Zealand around 1400 - 1500 CE.
EPILOGUE
Someone once told me, in a conversation at the OPA DIAZ Secretariat, about what the soul of an eagle is like, and one thing they said was roughly this: "Some birds talk (chirp) too much". An eagle is indeed not a songbird like a parrot or a magpie-robin, especially not one kept in a small cage to entertain its owner. Although there are eagles that are caged, perhaps by irresponsible people or for conservation purposes in captive breeding, whoever they are and whatever the eagle, everyone will acknowledge that the eagle is a magnificent bird, each in their own definition. The eagle is also not a creature that brings a flock along to show its power. It is a solitary bird, yet enough to keep its prey always alert.
Perhaps we need to follow this example from the eagle. Just as the Javanese philosophy says that the fuller the rice stalk, the lower it bows, perhaps this is nature's way of reminding us. Sometimes we see people who constantly show off their greatness excessively, while those who are more competent tend to appear calm and never feel satisfied with their skills. The more a person describes their "I" to others, the more they come to look like a bird entertaining its owner from inside a cage that limits its movement. That cage is like the feeling of having had enough after receiving knowledge, and then busying oneself with chirping.
In the book I once read, Atomic Habits by James Clear, identity is indeed the first thing we must have in order to get satisfying results more efficiently when changing bad behavior into good behavior, but those results are obtained through processes that later become evidence of our identity. So our identity is not proven by mere chirping but by processes built continuously and consistently.
However, arrogance may indeed be one of the negative traits of humans that has been attached to us for a very long time. I am not trying to make arrogance seem normal to practice (please note). Still, we really are too arrogant; we are even the only creature on this earth that names other creatures as we please and then names ourselves with a grand name, "Homo sapiens", meaning Wise Human. As if we forget what humans have done on the face of the earth since they came to exist.
How much have we damaged, destroyed, or wiped out, causing it to cease to exist, because of our existence as those wise humans?. The Hawaiian Ancient Eagle (Haliaeetus sp) and Haast's Eagle (Hieraaetus moorei) and several other animals whose stories are not told here are proof that rulers as mighty as they were pushed aside and wiped out by our presence. Yet the remnants of their glory in the past never fade; their stories remain as evidence of civilization's dark history, always reminding us, as wise humans, that we should nurture rather than destroy.
For now, perhaps that is the only story of the ancient eagles that we can present. From our search and research above, we hope it adds to the knowledge of both readers and writers. In your opinion, how would you define the eagle, or the soul of the eagle, that we can apply? And what should we do in this era, after reading this article, to nurture and protect the life that exists?. Write your opinions, criticism and suggestions in the comment section.
That is all from us - VIVA DIAZ !!!
Viva DIAZ
