The largest hawk ever recorded was the Haast’s hawk, which can hunt prey weighing up to 500 pounds! These flying nightmares possess a grip powerful enough to break the bones of their prey. They will then dig in with their huge beaks and eat them. But could they take down predators similar in size to their previous prey? Today, we’re going to explore one of the biggest eagle-lion battles ever fought.
We’ll show the differences between these animals and show which of them has the best chance of winning the battle!
Compare the largest eagles and lions ever
| biggest eagle ever | lion | |
|---|---|---|
| size | Weight: 20 to 26 lbs, up to 36 lbs Height: About 3 feet tall Wingspan: Up to 9 feet or more | Weight: Average between 260 and 500 pounds Length: From 4.7 to 8.2 feet Height: About 3 feet to 3.9 feet tallspeed– can reach speeds of up to 50 mph during a dive based on another large eagle, the harpy – may reach speeds of up to 40 or 50 mph during a chase – Run between 30 and 35 mph more often |
| defense | – Can fly away damage to let eagles leave lost battles – The light body puts the bird at risk in fights on the ground – Large size may scare other creatures | – Large size and raw strength make lions very difficult to bring down and kill – The lion’s neck is protected by a mane – Their threatening display will scare off many critters – Lions have the speed to escape from adverse situations – Usually have a pride of other lions to keep them safe |
| offensive ability | – Estimated grip strength is 1,000 PSI – Can dig into prey with sharp 3-inch claws – Large beak and beak at 5.1 inches can tear prey and damage organs | – Their bite force reaches anywhere between 650 and 1,000 PSI – They have large canines 2 to 4 inches long that can pierce flesh and penetrate vital areas – Claws can reach 2 inches long – Can lash prey with their claws, disorienting them or seriously injuring them |
| predatory behavior | – Most likely an ambush predator – Probably killed by crushing the skulls of prey or bleeding them with a ferocious claw and beak attack | – May act as a sloppy or ambush predator depending on the situation – usually bites the throat of the prey to end it |
What are the two main differences between the largest eagles and lions that ever lived?
The two main differences between the largest eagles and lions ever lived are their size and distinct morphological features. The largest eagle ever recorded is a bipedal bird that can weigh up to 36 pounds, stand up to 3 feet tall, and have a wingspan of 9 feet or more. Lions are quadruped mammals that vary in length from up to 8.2 feet in length to a maximum of 3 to 3.9 feet tall when standing.
All in all, these differences are important to this fight. However, additional information needs to be considered, and we evaluate five worthwhile factors below.
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What was the key factor in the biggest ever battle between an eagle and a lion?
Several factors must be considered in a fight between any two animals. In this case, we have to focus on size, aggressiveness, and predatory behavior. The latter is very important because the Haast’s Eagle was used against a creature that may only eat plants and attack small animals. However, it faces an apex predator in this epic battle!
Let’s consider the five main factors in this battle to see which animal has the most advantage, and use this data to imagine a battle between an extinct bird and a deadly lion!
The Biggest Eagles and Lions Ever Lived: Size
Lions have a size advantage over the largest eagles that have ever lived. The average lion can weigh up to 560 pounds, stand between 3 and 4 feet tall and grow to 8 feet or more. The largest eagle, meanwhile, can weigh a maximum of 36 pounds, stand 3 feet tall, and have an impressive wingspan of up to 9 feet.
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Biggest Eagles vs Lions Ever: Speed
A lion might be faster than the biggest eagle ever. When lions approach their prey during a hunt, they can reach speeds of 40 to 50 mph. That burst of speed allows them to grab and tackle their prey while delivering a deadly blow. For the most part, though, they typically run at 30 mph.
We don’t know how fast the biggest eagle ever could fly. However, the horned eagle is a smaller bird, but still one of the largest hawks living today, flying at about 50 mph during a dive attack. If we assign that speed to the biggest eagle ever, it’s still not enough to overtake a lion! On the ground, compared to the speed of a lion, a bird is better off standing still.
Lions have a speed advantage in this fight.
Biggest Eagles & Lions Ever: Defense
Both the largest eagles and lions ever to live could flee this fight if they wanted to. Lions run fast, while eagles, the biggest ever, can take off with ease as long as they don’t get hurt.
In terms of physical defense, the Lions have the advantage. Its massive body absorbs blows, and its mane protects its neck from stabs and bites. The biggest eagle ever was still a bird at the end of the day. Its body was not made for constant fighting.
©Petr Ganaj/Shutterstock.com
Biggest Eagles vs. Lions ever: Offensive power
The largest eagle that ever lived was a very efficient predator. The bird has a 5.1-inch beak and beak that can be used to tear apart prey and strike vulnerable parts. Plus, with 3-inch-long claws on their toes, they can exert an estimated 1,000 PSI of grip! This allows them to crush the bones of their prey before tearing them apart.
Lions are also impressive aggressive specimens. Their teeth are large, with the largest canines measuring 2 to 4 inches in length. Their bite force is believed to be between 650 and 1,000 PSI, which allows them to crush the throat and neck of their prey with ease. They also have claws about 2 inches long, which allow them to penetrate deep and tear apart prey.
All in all, we say that the aggressiveness of the two animals is homogeneous, or at least independent of each other.
© John Megahan / CC BY 2.5 – License
The Biggest Eagles and Lions Ever Lived: Acts of Predation
Both lions and the largest eagles that ever lived are involved in ambush predation. They attack from concealed positions and quickly bring down their prey. However, lions also use sketchy methods of predation, especially when attacking in groups. They know how to weaken their prey’s energy and will to fight before they start the hunt.
Lions have an advantage here because they are more versatile.
Who will win in the biggest ever battle between an eagle and a lion?
Lions win battle with biggest eagle. Of course, Haast’s hawk can take down a moa, a very large flightless bird. It’s one thing to attack a creature that isn’t an apex predator, but quite another to attack a lion. There is no doubt that when attacking from the air, the eagle will strike first.
© Sergio Alessandro, CC BY 2.0
This advantageous attack can injure a lion, tear out an eye or the back of a mammal. However, we have to wonder if the bird was able to exert enough force on the lion to kill it or make it escape entirely. We doubt it.
The lion may roll over and use its enormous weight to convince the bird to let go or be crushed under the weight of the lion. Even if the bird stays on the lion’s back and perseveres, the lion can eventually force it to let go by rolling repeatedly on the ground. Any of these can expose the eagle’s wings to the lion’s talons or mouth. The lion will win in the end, but it may get hurt.
If both animals start a fight on the ground, a well-motivated lion can charge, leap, and bring down the larger bird before it can strike back. The fight ended in a flurry of teeth and claws in the lion’s favor.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
