If you were a small mammal living in North America or the Caribbean during the Late Pleistocene, there’s a strong chance you wouldn’t have been friends with Woodward’s Eagle. Because this winged killer took no prisoners.

One of the largest birds of prey ever found, Woodward’s Eagle had an estimated length of around 110cm and is thought to have had a wingspan of around 9 feet. Sure, Haast’s eagle may have been slightly bigger and more robust, but when you’re a prey animal being chased by a Woodward’s Eagle, that slight size difference isn’t going to bring any comfort.

Talking of prey, this giant cousin of the modern black hawk would have snacked on small mammals and reptiles. Tasty.

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