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The Malagasy Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus mahery)[1] was a gigantic bird of prey that inhabited Madagascar until 1500 AD. Many Scientists have pointed out that the bird shows many similarities with Haast's Eagle (Harpagornis moorei) and it is likely that it had a similar diet, feeding on the giant Elephant birds of the time. It is also likely that Giant lemurs were part of its diet. It was perhaps an Apex predator of the Malagasy forests 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.[2]
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