Huge Haast eagle replica foot talon claw raptor dinosaur fossil bird unfinished

Description

This is a sculpted reproduction right foot of the extinct Haast's eagle, which was the largest and most powerful eagle that ever lived. It weighed up to 35 pounds with a ten foot wingspan, and had huge, robust feet and talons. This reproduction has been scaled to match the exact size of the original fossil skeletal material so it is life-sized. The Haast eagle lived in New Zealand and preyed upon moas, which were giant flightless ostrich-like birds that weighed up to 450 pounds. It was the apex predator of the island, as there were no large predatory mammals as is usually the case on most continents. The Haast eagle is believed to have gone extinct around 700 years ago. Its extinction was brought about by the arrival of humans who decimated the eagle's natural prey. There is no direct evidence that the Haast ever hunted and killed humans, but some scientists believe that it easily could have taken human prey. The early human settlers of its territory were well aware of the eagle, and they depicted it in rock art and also used its bones for making tools. The Haast had the power to kill an animal the size of a small horse (the moa) by driving its talons deep into the bones, so it isn't hard to imagine this giant raptor ambushing and killing an unarmed human.
The foot measures 10 3/4" (27cm) long and and 5 1/4" (14cm) across, as measured in a straight line. The longest talon is 3.5" (9cm) long as measured over the outside curve. This cast has been finished and painted to match the typical coloration of the feet of a bird of prey.
This foot is cast in solid urethane resin and can be left as-is or painted if desired.  This urethane material can be drilled, sanded and machined.   If you plan on painting it you will need to do some minor surface preparation and the urethane will need a primer coat. Easiest way to do that is to lightly scuff the surfaces with very fine sand paper (220 grit is good) and then wipe down with denatured alcohol (rubbing alcohol will also work). Dipping an old tooth brush into the alcohol and working it into the crevices of the cast will remove any mold release and make the primer adhere properly. Then you can prime with spray primer available at hardware stores, like Krylon matte white primer. Once that is dry you can paint with either acrylic or enamel or oil based paints.  I also have finished and painted feet available - please see my other listings.
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