Why New Zealand’s Ancient Birds Were Cooler Than Dinosaurs?!?!?

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Correction: There is no credible evidence of thylacoleo actually having ever lived on New Zealand. Thanks for all those who corrected me in the comments. Also yes I know birds are technically dinosaurs it makes for a cooler thumbnail so I couldn’t resist.

[@CasineJohnson]

@@GavinTheWildlifeGuy ok

[@markv1974]

Uhmmm cooler than dinos but birds are dinos. 😅

[@LPSWORLD456]

Ok maybe the coolest than cooler dinosaurs

[@johannageisel5390]

"Why New Zealand's Ancient Birds Are The Coolest Dinosaurs!" - There, I fixed it for you.

[@kaijuar2003]

​@markv1974 Yes, they are dinosaurs, but the title is referring to birds being cooler than NONAVIAN DINOSAURS.

[@Skyypixelgamer]

Hey great video , but I have to mention that at 17:17 you say thylacoleo lived on New Zealand. The only thing I know that brings this up is “mysteries of New Zealand: Thylacoline Zealandus” but that’s a speculative biology video. The only land mammal from New Zealand we know of was the Saint Bathans mammal. A archaic mammal that didn’t fall with in placental or marsupial mammals.

[@RenaMoonn]

I really hope we get more St. Bathans mammal material. I really wanna know where it fits on the mammal family tree. It’s definitely not a Therian or Monotreme, but what extinct group was it apart of

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Thanks for the correction at the time of filming this video I didn’t research to in depth the topic of thylacoleo on the island and simply just heard about it and thought it was cool enough to be mentioned.

[@Skyypixelgamer]

@@GavinTheWildlifeGuy no problem mistakes happen. Besides that this video was really accurate. Keep up the good work!

[@Skyypixelgamer]

@@RenaMoonn yeah the Saint bathans mammal is so interesting as it opens a whole new lineage of mammals we’ve never even knew about!

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

@@Skyypixelgamer I heard a tincy bit about it but I do want to research it more. I didn’t mention that at all in the video as I know it went extinct a very long time ago (at least to our knowledge).

[@dodoxasaurus6904]

Fun fact, Sub fossil remains show that the last species of Moa to go extinct that survived the longest, was actually the Giant north island moa, which is most shocking because it was the second largest species and lived on the most populated human island at the time.

[@JacksonDemetrios-Formella]

Wait, is there a estimated time for one? It went extinct

[@charlieunderwood1311]

It may be that they were less easy to kill in bulk; if they were more solitary, lived in denser forests and nested in remote areas it would give it an advantage over herding forms that had communal nesting in lowlands.

[@JacksonDemetrios-Formella]

That’s really cool thanks I just really wish these things were around today

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Interesting I wish I knew that before so I could of of included it in the video

[@ChurchSleazy]

Thank you for actually bringing this up. Its wild to think that less than a thousand years ago Dinosaurs were still the dominant land animals on an entire microcontinent. Beyond that I dont think it gets addressed enough that for a significant portion of the Cenozoic the Southern hemisphere was still mostly dominated by theropod dinosaurs instead of mammals such as South America before the Great American Interchange. But Zealandia was truly the last bastion of Dinosaurian terrestrial dominance and Humanity got there just soon enough to witness (and possibly be respondible for) its last breath. Amazing as it is dissappointing.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Agreed

[@StuffandThings_]

The amazing thing is the botany of NZ and New Caledonia is _still_ basically ripped straight from the Middle Cretaceous. And while much of the rainforest has been cleared and much of the rest of the tropical and subtropical bits is in questionable shape, its still there. I absolutely adore the biology of Zealandia and am constantly amazed at how underrated it is, particularly the botanical aspect.

[@Neolithickneegrow]

@@ChurchSleazy not possibly responsible for, they were responsible for.

[@JoshTrager-j9g]

Possibly?!?

[@Fletcherbird]

This looks great! Gonna watch while I eat my dinner!

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Thanks for your support and enthusiasm as always!

[@julianthomas6899]

Enjoyed the video, the adzebill was a new one to me. Of course we now know one of our ancestors, the 'Tuang Child' was killed not by a leopard, as originally thought, but by a Crowned Eagle, the holes in the skull exactly matching the talon spread of the raptor. The Crowned Eagle only weighs around 4 -5 kg but can kill primates many times its own weight

[@eleganteaura]

Best video I’ve ever seen on this topic

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Wow thanks, I know a lot of people have covered this topic already. Good to know I’m the favorite. 😊

[@The_Mythical_Potato]

I've lost count of how many times a cool and unique species went extinct because humans did an oopise woopsie 💀

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Facts

[@indyreno2933]

The Haast's Eagle (Harpagornis moorei) is an extinct eagle species that inhabited New Zealand, it was one of the largest eagles that ever lived, its closest known relatives are the Thick-Boned Eagle (Dynatoaetus pachyosteus) and the Mather's Eagle (Dynatoaetus gaffae) and the closest living relatives of all three species are the Pygmy Eagle (Milvaetus weiskei), the Little Eagle (Milvaetus morphnoides), the Gurney's Eagle (Uroaetus gurneyi), and the Wedge-Tailed Eagle (Uroaetus audax), all these species are members of a unique tribe of true eagles known as Uroaetini, which is exclusively native to Oceania, this tribe was once more diverse containing many eagle species native to Oceania, many eagle species in the Uroaetini tribe have been known to take on large prey.

[@Lowlandlord]

Rocco, my parrot, found the Moa call to be alarming. He doesn't respond to most animal sounds, just other birbs, and dogs (the people that bred him also bred dogs). Doesn't even bat an eye when he hears a cat meow or cow moo. He also stopped eating for a second for the laughing owl call.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

😂 that’s funny but I can’t blame him lol.

[@Superkoolaid857]

What species is your parrot by chance?

[@Kelenken-GM]

Great video bro

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Thanks

[@VayliraKayvex]

Amazing video, I didn't even realise so many of these fascinating creatures existed, thankyou for letting me know about these

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

@@VayliraKayvex your welcome :)

[@johnfranzwa5989]

Love learning about new Zealand's animals

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Agreed

[@steams6827]

Man, I wish moas were still chilling in New Zealand

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Agreed

[@JoshTrager-j9g]

Well, you can thank the Maori for that. 😡

[@seandewar47]

Fun fact: based on Maori cave art, the Haast's eagle likely had bald heads or redced feathers, or even a light colored head and (based on their beak and head anatomy) ate their prey like modern-day Vultures by eating the oraphaces of their moa prey

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

I know that theory of the Haast Eagle being a scavenger is controversial but it is very interesting to wonder. Also the bald head is interesting as I haven’t seen that in modern depictions much but is very likely and I should have mentioned that in the video.

[@dirtypms]

There's a description of the Hokioi that describes a black and white feather pattern with some red or green feathers. Hokioi is another name attributed to Haast's eagle. Edit: “Its colour was red and black and white. It was a bird of black feathers, tinged with yellow and green; it had a bunch of red feathers on the top of its head. It was a large bird, as large as the moa.”

[@seandewar47]

@GavinTheWildlifeGuy having a bald head doesn't mean it has to be a Scavenger per se, it's more than likely a hunter, however the bald heads was likely an adaptation to oraphace eating it had to do due to how large the moas were

[@dirtypms]

​​@@GavinTheWildlifeGuyif you want, I can post the quote on here: “Its colour was red and black and white. It was a bird of black feathers, tinged with yellow and green; it had a bunch of red feathers on the top of its head. It was a large bird, as large as the moa.”

[@emilyharris2693]

We’ve literally found Moas with injuries to the bone caused from Haast’s eagle’s talons… Also, can we really trust the people that wiped out the moas, in turn wiping out the Haast’s eagle?

[@dirtypms]

Was already subbed but set it to all notifications btw

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

😃👍

[@dirtypms]

@GavinTheWildlifeGuy p.s. sorry if I came off like a know it all in the other chat when talking about the description. I've been researching Haast's eagle on and off for about 11 years and am glad to see others taking an interest in H. Moorei as well.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Don’t worry about it lol

[@dirtypms]

@@GavinTheWildlifeGuy much appreciated. Think you'll do a video on the Eyles Harrier?

[@Futterguy]

Very nice video, I'd never heard of adzebills before

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Me neither actually until I was researching this video. Originally I was just gonna make this video about the haast eagle but then I saw an opportunity to talk about some of New Zealand’s lesser known ancient birds as well.

[@kierangriffin3841]

Thanks for the great and entertaining content!

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Thanks

[@WillPackard-tf9oj]

Amazing video as always also I love the little edits you add

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Thanks!!!

[@resfar69]

GAVIN BIRDS! very much enjoyed watching you yap about birds for 20 minutes

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

lol thanks

[@CaydenMcDiddleFlunk]

being from new zealand, this video is absolutely amazing

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Thanks

[@abduking.]

terror birds are still the greatest birds of all time but i now like the moas too.

[@ZeroniteMc]

Bird documentary yippee

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

:D

[@alexortega5833]

Would’ve liked to see Heracles Inexpectadus, but still great video!

[@V3lk0n]

If we bring the Haast Eagle back to life nowadays, he's gonna go from making dishes to being the dish made by you know who. Revenge must be served with time.

[@cacogenicist]

Regarding rhe video title, _T. rex_ was more closely related to extant birds than it was to multiple other theropod clades. Closer to birds than to Giganotosaurus. In other words, birds _are_ dinosaurs.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

I know, but the title just makes things sound cooler. That’s why I kinda address it in the video but I should have said it verbally outright.

[@athos9293]

Yeah just like how bats are mammals and insects are arthropods

[@JacksonDemetrios-Formella]

Honestly, yes, it’s sad but I think this teaches humanity a good lesson if we want amazing creatures to be more abundant. We must take actions to correct our ways, not trying to be this all knowing and smart guy, but I feel like it’s true especially since there’s a lot of animals that people say are prehistoric and extinct but the truth is they’re just extinct. These guys aren’t even prehistoric creatures. They’re modern creatures but sadly we don’t get to see them. It truly is sad.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

@@JacksonDemetrios-Formella 💯

[@raphlvlogs271]

some Adzebills could have became specialised scavengers functioning as large flightless vultures feeding on carrion washed up on beaches

[@justinianthegreat1444]

Dude, they're basically Dinosaurs

[@blackdragon5274]

They literally are

[@JoshTrager-j9g]

​@@blackdragon5274Indeed.

[@agnieszkasobera1870]

5:45 feather family

[@Casuario265]

Were there more species of Cassowaries?

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Not in New Zealand but Papúa New Guinea did have a few extinct Cassowary species

[@hiscuriousforyou]

Id like a video about ducks and their wide range

[@lawn_moa]

Damn, with calls like that I can see why they were called 'moa'.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

🤣

[@netherwalker1762]

The phase: "Thanks a lot Maori" is running rampant in my head and I had to let it out. Sorry Maori.

[@charlieunderwood1311]

Before you blame them, see what the Malagasy settlers killed off at about the same time.

1:08 The plural of “genus” is “genera.”

[@athos9293]

You could've prevented the scientifically inaccurate title by changing it to something like "New Zealand's ancient birds were among the coolest dinosaurs"

[@PackHunter117]

Cooler than dinosaurs!? Now that’s definitely a stretch lol

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

@@PackHunter117 I know lol. But it is close.

[@PackHunter117]

@ I like the Terror Birds like Gastornis also. Those things would be terrifying irl

[@indyreno2933]

Actually, the the mather's eagle (Dynatoaetus gaffae) was the largest eagle that ever lived, the haast's eagle (Harpagornis moorei) was smaller, as a matter of fact, the thick-boned eagle (Dynatoaetus pachyosteus) and mather's eagle (Dynatoaetus gaffae) are eagles.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Thanks for the correction I didn’t know that. I’ll look into those species as they might make a future good video idea.

[@Skyypixelgamer]

The problem is we really don’t know all that much about Dynatoaetus’s size let alone its weight (however from what I can tell most sites place it over 25 pounds). Heck I’m not even sure if they are considered true eagles. So perhaps it was but at the moment the haast eagle is the largest true eagle known.

[@indyreno2933]

@@Skyypixelgamer, eagles constitute the family Aquilidae and Dynatoaetus belongs to the family, therefore Dynatoaetus species are eagles, eagles (family Aquilidae) are split into three subfamilies: Circaetinae (Snake Eagles) with the tribes Spilornithini (Eastern Snake Eagles (contains Spilornis and Ornithoraptor)) and Circaetini (Western Snake Eagles (contains Circaetus, Terathopius, Dryotriorchis, and Eutriorchis)), Harpiinae (Tufted Eagles) with the tribes Pithecophagini (Philippine Eagle and Relatives (contains Sondaicotriorchis, Pithecophaga, and Harpyopsis)), Polemaetini (Martial Eagle, Crowned Eagles, and Relatives (contains Nisastur, Lophohierax, Nisaetus, Lophaetus, Polemaetus, and Stephanoaetus)), and Harpiini (New World Tufted Eagles (contains Oroaetus, Spizastur, Spizaetus, Harpyhaliaetus, Morphnus, and Harpia)), and Aquilinae (True Eagles) with the tribes Hieraaetini (Booted Eagle and Relatives (contains Hieraaetus, Pseudobuteo, and Cassinaetus)), Aquilini (Golden Eagle and Relatives (contains Archoraptor, Aquila, Lophotriorchis, Ammaetus, and Geranoaetus)), Haliaeetini (Sea Eagles and Relatives (contains Ictinaetus, Gigantokestrellus, Clanga, Ichthyophaga, and Haliaeetus)), and Uroaetini (Oceanian Eagles (contains Milvaetus and Uroaetus)) Based on here, the thick-boned eagle (Dynatoaetus pachyosteus) and mather's eagle (Dynatoaetus gaffae) are both nestled deeply within the Aquilinae subfamily with the haast's eagle (Harpagornis moorei) being their closest known relative, followed by the currently living gurney's eagle (Uroaetus gurneyi) and wedge-tailed eagle (Uroaetus audax) and then by the currently living pygmy eagle (Milvaetus weiskei) and little eagle (Milvaetus morphnoides), all these seven species belong to the tribe Uroaetini, which is largely native to Oceania

[@Skyypixelgamer]

@@indyreno2933 From what I can tell we can’t safely put it in Aquilidae due to it sharing a couple of features with Aegypiinae though it could be more closely related to serpent eagles. And so it seems that at the moment it’s been placed as a more basal member of accipteridae that’s more closely related to vultures. Also just a slight question but if it is a eagle wouldn’t the little eagle be the closest living relative of Dynatoaetus in that case due to it also being the closest living relative of the haast eagle (both were in the same genus).

[@indyreno2933]

@@Skyypixelgamer, actually, Accipitridae has been rendered as polyphyletic, the family is now restricted to only the hawks, buzzards, harriers, and kites whereas the eagles and old world vultures are no longer classified within the family, all seventy extant eagle species now belong to the family Aquilidae while all eighteen extant old world vulture species now belong to the family Aegypiidae, the hawks, buzzards, harriers, and kites that constitute the family Accipitridae are all more closely related to the ospreys (genus Pandion) of the monotypic family Pandionidae than they are to either eagles (family Aquilidae) or old world vultures (family Aegypiidae) The Accipitridae family is now currently split into only three valid subfamilies: Milvinae (Kites) with the tribes Milvini (Old World Kites) and Ictiniini (New World Kites), Accipitrinae (True Hawks) with the tribes Polyboroidini (Harrier Hawks and Cuckoo Hawks), Microspiziini (Microspiziinoid Hawks), Accipitrini (Sparrowhawks), and Asturini (Goshawks), and Buteoninae (Buzzards, Harriers, and Relatives) with the tribes Eunisini (Eunisinoid Hawks), Buteogallini (Buteogallinoid Hawks), Buteonini (Buzzards), and Circini (Harriers) Eagles (family Aquilidae) are split into three valid subfamilies: Circaetinae (Snake Eagles) with the tribes Spilornithini (Eastern Snake Eagles (contains Spilornis and Ornithoraptor)) and Circaetini (Eastern Snake Eagles (contains Circaetus, Terathopius, Dryotriorchis, and Eutriorchis)), Harpiinae (Tufted Eagles) with the tribes Pithecophagini (Philippine Eagle and Relatives (contains Sondaicotriorchis, Pithecophaga, and Harpyopsis)), Polemaetini (Martial Eagle, Crowned Eagles, and Relatives (contains Nisastur, Lophohierax, Nisaetus, Lophaetus, Polemaetus, and Stephanoaetus)), and Harpiini (New World Tufted Eagles (contains Oroaetus, Spizastur, Spizaetus, Harpyhaliaetus, Morphnus, and Harpia)), and Aquilinae (True Eagles) with the tribes Hieraaetini (Booted Eagle and Relatives (contains Hieraaetus, Pseudobuteo, and Cassinaetus)), Aquilini (Golden Eagle and Relatives (contains Archoraptor, Aquila, Lophotriorchis, Ammaetus, and Geranoaetus)), Haliaeetini (Sea Eagles and Relatives (contains Ictinaetus, Gigantokestrellus, Clanga, Ichthyophaga, and Haliaeetus)), and Uroaetini (Oceanian Eagles (contains Milvaetus and Uroaetus)) Old world vultures (family Aegypiidae) are split into the subfamilies Gypaetinae (Lush-Headed Old World Vultures) and Aegypiinae (Bare-Headed Old World Vultures) Based on this classification, there are currently nine extant families of birds of prey (order Falconiformes): Cariamidae (Seriemas), Sagittariidae (Secretarybird), Aquilidae (Eagles), Accipitridae (Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, and Kites), Pandionidae (Ospreys), Aegypiidae (Old World Vultures), Caracaridae (Caracaras), Falconidae (Falcons, Kestrels, Hobbies, Falconets, and Montanaguila), and Cathartidae (New World Vultures), all nine extant families belong to one order and they are all classified under the superorder Palaeoaves, which most closely relates them to the hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) of the monotypic order Opisthocomiformes and the fowl (clade Galloanserae)

[@danielmalinen6337]

Birds are dinosaurs

[@jacksonjanney5937]

The thylacaleo was native to australia not new zealand

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

@@jacksonjanney5937 yes it was. They have found fragmentary fossils of thylacaleo on New Zealand. Strangely enough the only land mammal fossils to have been found on New Zealand. Odd I know

[@Aureum715]

@@GavinTheWildlifeGuyI wasn’t able to find any sources about thylacoleo living in New Zeland the closest thing I have found was a video on a speculative mammal called thylacoline zealandus from a single KZbin video and a tumblr page that says it’s fake.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

@@Aureum715your right I did some more research and edited my pinned comment correcting myself. Thanks

[@timmywood9677]

I’m worried about the Philippines eagle they are endangered and close to extinction similar to the Haast's eagle

[@nikolagnjatovic1132]

Can you make a video about extinct animals from Cuba?

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Cuba, Madagascar, and New Caledonia are all videos I’d love to make next year talking about there extinct wildlife.

[@nikolagnjatovic1132]

@@GavinTheWildlifeGuy From my understanding Cuba also had birds of prey possibly larger than new zealand.

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

Yeah I don’t know as much about it but I think doing a more general video on everything from Cuba’s giant owls to recently extinct ground sloths could be a really good video idea.

[@KateeAngel]

*cooler than other dinosaurs

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

The more accurate but less cool sounding title.

[@mikeycbaby]

The Thylacoleo was an Australian animal.

[@JulesMuasau]

Aotearoa has dinosaurs dinosaurs we have a theropod and ankylosaurus and a titanosaur along with a compsognathid and a few marine reptiles and megalodons

[@blackdragon5274]

Imagine if they were dinosaurs

[@BassFish111]

They are

[@timothygreer188]

It's a shame you don't credit the artists, even going as far as obscuring watermarks

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

None of the photos came with watermarks but in hindsight I do wish I went to greater efforts to tag each artist cause the art of many of these birds is incredible.

[@agnieszkasobera1870]

Giant moa was 370 cm

[@zebedeemadness2672]

So with the statement at 0:04, shouldn't the title be; Why New Zealand's Ancient Birds Were Cool Dinosaurs.

[@raphlvlogs271]

New Zealand could have been much larger in size

[@emilyharris2693]

Haast’s Eagle eating people? Don’t make me laugh!

[@BassFish111]

They did actually attack people

[@CasineJohnson]

Bird are dinosaur

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

@@CasineJohnson I know they are technically avian theropods, but the general public considers them to be separate so that’s just how I made the title.

[@michaeldeak5727]

​@@GavinTheWildlifeGuy except a lot of people now are starting to accept that birds are dinosaurs.....

[@tecumsehcristero]

You can’t find any fossils of any of those birds as they live far too recently for their bones to fossilize. Maybe learn what a fossil is before talking about them

[@Neolithickneegrow]

Polynesians burnt 40% of forest cover witthing 200 years of settlement and with over hunting and the introduction of rats and dogs caused the extinction of practically every animal weighing more than a couple kilos and severely depleted everything else

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

It is a shame.

[@Neolithickneegrow]

@GavinTheWildlifeGuy it is, but I also think that Europeans would've likely hunted it to extinction as I doubt they could coexist with a bird of prey large enough to kill men and livestock.

[@wb7849]

@@NeolithickneegrowI strongly believe the Europeans would’ve actually admired the spectacle that are the birds and probably would have gone greater lengths to preserve them…

[@Neolithickneegrow]

@@wb7849 Tasmanian tiger was hunted to extinction because it was believed to prey on sheep

[@funwiththedecenas3147]

Birds are dinosaurs

[@GavinTheWildlifeGuy]

I know but the general public considers avian dinosaurs to be separate from non avian theropods. Plus it makes for a good title.

[@Lvestfold4143]

Birds are dinosaurs