Giant Eagles Preyed on Early Humans and Shaped Evolution

Millions of years before modern humans emerged, enormous birds of prey hunted primates across ancient landscapes. Evidence from a 2.8-million-year-old fossil discovered in South Africa suggests that a giant raptor killed a young Australopithecus africanus, highlighting how aerial predators may have influenced human evolution.

The remains, known as the "Taung child," belonged to an infant approximately three years old. Puncture marks beneath the eye sockets resemble injuries caused by eagle talons, although researchers have not established exactly which bird killed the child.

The evidence suggests that predators attacking from above presented a significant danger to early human ancestors. These encounters may have influenced physical characteristics and social behaviors that later became important in human development.

After the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, birds diversified into several ecological roles. Some became enormous plant-eaters, while others evolved into formidable predators occupying positions previously held by large land-based carnivores.

Australia's Dromornithidae, nicknamed the "demon ducks of doom," were among the enormous herbivorous birds. Meanwhile, Pelagornis sandersi, discovered in South Carolina, had an estimated wingspan of 7 meters (24 feet), making it the largest known flying bird.

Scott McGraw, a primatologist at Ohio State University in the United States, says predatory birds have hunted primates throughout their evolutionary history.

"As long as primates have been around, there have been raptors. And raptors have always been preying on primates – including us and our relatives," McGraw said.

His research examined the remains of more than 600 modern primates killed by birds of prey in Ivory Coast's Taï Forest. The investigation identified damage patterns resembling those found on the Taung child's skull.

McGraw described injuries around the eye sockets, where predators appeared to have removed the eyes using their beaks or talons.

"where the eagle had either pecked out the eyes with its beak, or torn them out with a talon," McGraw said.

He also recalled how researchers compared modern primate remains with the ancient fossil.

"One of our reviewers went down to the fossil vault, pulled out the Taung child, and found that the damage was identical," McGraw said.

The similarities have strengthened the possibility that raptor attacks were more common among early human ancestors than previously recognized. McGraw believes researchers could identify further evidence by reassessing existing fossil collections.

"If we go back now and examine more closely the [human] fossil assemblages that have been collected over the years, there is a good chance – now that we know what we're looking for – we will find additional raptor damage. If what we're seeing in Taï is any indication, then this is normal," McGraw said.

James Cole, an archaeologist and dean of applied sciences at Brighton University in the United Kingdom, also considers predation an established part of early human history.

"Particularly the earlier hominins, like the baby Australopithecus africanus that was eaten by an eagle," Cole said.

He noted that early humans faced numerous predators, including birds, leopards, hyenas and giant crocodiles.

"We were predated upon for sure," Cole said.

Researchers believe the pressure to avoid predators may have influenced the development of human bodies and social behavior. Walking upright could have improved visibility, allowing early humans to detect approaching threats more effectively.

Cooperation and mutual protection may also have increased their chances of survival. Cole emphasized the importance of living in larger groups.

"There is safety in numbers," Cole said.

McGraw added that larger groups offered advantages against ambush predators such as crowned eagles, which can remain concealed in trees before attacking. Having several individuals watching their surroundings could reduce the risk of surprise attacks, a principle known as the "many eyes effect."

Cole also suggested that larger social groups may have contributed to the development of language. As individuals began performing specialized tasks, communication became increasingly important for coordinating activities.

"[In a big group], you start to specialise roles. When you have some people doing one job while others are doing something else, that requires coordination. And once [a group] starts to fragment like that, coordination can't just rely on line of sight," Cole said.

Gestures could support communication when individuals remained within sight of one another. However, coordinating activities across greater distances, including warning others about approaching predators, required more advanced communication.

"that's where language really starts to play a role," Cole said.