Malagasy Crowned Eagle
Encyclopedia
The Malagasy Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus mahery), also known as the Madagascar Crowned Hawk-eagle, was a large bird of prey
, comparable in size to the African Crowned Eagle
, that inhabited Madagascar
until 1500 AD. It probably fed on lemurs. The raptor avoidance behavior exhibited by contemporary lemurs may have originated in part in response to this and another now extinct Malagasy Aquila
eagle (extant Malagasy raptors appear to a threat primarily to juvenile members of the large diurnal lemur species).
It was perhaps an apex predator
of the Malagasy
forest
s along with the Giant Fossa and the two species
of crocodile
. It likely became extinct due to human
overhunting of its prey and possibly was hunted as well.
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
, comparable in size to the African Crowned Eagle
Crowned Eagle
The Crowned Eagle or Crowned Hawk-eagle , is a very large, powerful, crested bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa; in Southern Africa it is restricted to suitable habitat in the eastern areas. It is the only extant member of the genus Stephanoaetus...
, that inhabited Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
until 1500 AD. It probably fed on lemurs. The raptor avoidance behavior exhibited by contemporary lemurs may have originated in part in response to this and another now extinct Malagasy Aquila
Aquila
Aquila is the Latin and Romance language word for eagle and may also refer to:-Signs and symbols:* Aquila , a Roman military standard* Latin name for the Eagle -Places:...
eagle (extant Malagasy raptors appear to a threat primarily to juvenile members of the large diurnal lemur species).
It was perhaps an apex predator
Apex predator
Apex predators are predators that have no predators of their own, residing at the top of their food chain. Zoologists define predation as the killing and consumption of another organism...
of the Malagasy
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s along with the Giant Fossa and the two species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of crocodile
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
. It likely became extinct due to human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
overhunting of its prey and possibly was hunted as well.