---

HOME | CONTACT | BESTIARY | ACADEMY | LINKS | LIBRARY | OTHER WORLD | GAZETTER|

---

A Field Guide to Fantasy Birds of the Realms

by Tim Martin

Although every adventurer has a healthy respect for the roc, and many a player fondly remembers the giant eagles from The Lord of the Rings, bird creatures are fairly rare in most campaigns. They don't seem to inspire the fear that undead do, the awe that dragons do, or the wonder that outer planar monsters seem to generate. At most they are "local color" descriptions of the nearby environment thrown in by the Dungeon Master, low-level monsters, and lunch. I seek to change this with the introduction of the creatures below.

One need only look in a field guide to birds, or better yet a book on birds of the world, to see the rich possibilities that this group of animals represents. The birds of prey are obvious choices, and have been richly mined by the writers and designers of AD&D; giant eagles, rocs, blood hawks, giant falcons, giant vultures, vulchlings, and giant owls. After that the use of birds in the game becomes rather sparse, with the only notable ones being the flightless birds such as the ostrich, various sizes of ravens, eblis, and the swan. There may be a few others, but not many more.

Here I represent three groups of birds, just showing the tip of the proverbial iceberg as to the potential of the avian tribe. The desert corvay and the canyon corvay represent the crows and jays (and the magpie), a group referred to as Corvidae. This is a group that is richly represented in the folklore and legends of the world, and with good reason. The crows and jays are among the brightest, flashiest, and most intelligent of birds species, and are found in many areas of the world. Indeed, some regard this group as the most intelligent of all avians. These birds are full of personality, and many species in the group could serve as a template for future monsters.

The fisher heron represents of course the herons and bitterns in the group Adeidae. While not among the most intimidating nor the most intelligent of species, they are among the most majestic of species. Surely any enterprising DM can find a way to make the snowy white herons found in this group somehow even more magical and mystical?

This is a very brief introduction, but there is enormous potential for new bird creatures. What of creating new races of aarakocra based on other bird species, such as a ground-dwelling desert species modeled on the road runner, or a sea-going on similar to the gulls? What of intelligent birds that actively seek out dangerous giant insects and spiders to feed on, true friends of mankind? Maybe giant parrots, pelicans, or penguins? The possibilities are as nearly endless as the numbers of species are.

DESERT CORVAY

The desert corvay bears a great deal of resemblance to its distant relative, the pinyon jay. The much smaller and non-sentient pinyon jay resembles a small , chunky blue crow, a highly gregarious creature that lives in large, noisy flocks in the pinyon and pinyon-juniper woodlands of deserts, notably in northern Maztica, around the desert of Anauroch, and in the wilder areas of Calimshan. These creatures might be found in similar arid regions on other worlds.

The desert corvay looks like a pinyon jay, but is larger (about 4 feet long) and has a larger head in proportion to its body (presumably to contain the larger brain) though by no means is this enlargement gross. It is also similar in habits, the desert corvays not existing as family units, but instead as nomadic, roaming flocks. Unlike the distantly similar aarakocra, the desert corvay does not have developed arms, nor can it grasp things in its hind limbs with the skill of the aarakocra.

Although often flighty, a smart person can approach a flock with care. If one approaches over open ground towards them, obviously alone and unarmed, slowly and deliberately, one can engage the flock in conversation. Though the flock has no leader and any potential speaker might be met with a cacophony of voices, he or she might be able to gain valuable information. Flocks generally pick up the language of the nearby human tribe, village or city. The corvays have their own language, but it is difficult if not impossible for humans and demihumans to use it.

Although the flock will not share information on new sources of food, they may share news on water sources, on local groups of other sentients, or on local dangerous predators. Before this information is imparted though, the would be petitioner must offer something in return; perhaps a large supply of pinyon nuts, basketfuls of fresh fruit, or the all time favorite, something shiny. A flock will go crazy if someone offers some shiny trinket, with each member of the flock trying to be the most helpful and pleasing in order to obtain it. Particularly popular are gems, but glass and shiny beads, belt buckles, and coins all do well. Flocks that live near well traveled areas and encounter humans often tend to grow a little jaded though, and may require particularly nice items or multiple items before imparting information.

Successful petitioners may actually be partially adopted by the flock, who may for a time follow that person or persons around, in the hopes of wheedling out more garnish, so to speak. While they would probably never lie, desert corvays have been prone to exaggeration, so be careful of the news offered among particularly desperate members.

Combat: If one were to attack the flock, it would most likely lift out in a huge rush, though they can attack with a beak attack if really pressed. If the flock escapes, it will warn every predator in the region it can that that person is not to be trusted and might make a tasty morsel, and if possible the flock will attempt to set powerful monsters upon him or her (or they). Further, all other flocks will be warned of this if possible; eventually within a matter of months if not weeks all flocks will know. With particularly loathsome individuals, flocks have been known to shadow attackers, disrupting their sleep, soiling them, alerting predators and hostile tribes, and the like. That is rare though; the chaotic desert corvays rarely keep at one task very long.

Habitat/Society: Though mostly found in semi-arid forests, they often range into nearby mountains areas and into true desert. They are not found near the coast or on the plains, and their territory is far from temperate woodlands or the jungles.

Formerly empty stretches of woodland can suddenly be enlivened when a flock of desert corvays shows up, descending in numbers at times up to a hundred. Blue and blue-gray birds would then be seen in every tree for sometimes hundreds of yards, calling and gossiping to one another. Although they range far and wide in search of new sources of food, they nevertheless have plenty of free time. As a function of their roaming for food, nomadic habits, free time, and intelligence, they often pick up large amounts of local lore.

Ecology: Like their smaller cousins, desert corvays range over the countryside in huge flocks, likely in non-breeding times to contain all the members of this race for many miles around. The flocks are not territorial, but instead wander over huge regions in search of food; primarily this is nuts from the pinyon pine, but they also feed on a number of other items, such as insects, berries, and seeds.

DRAGONPECKER

Climate/Terrain:	Any	Hit Dice:	1
Frequency:	Rare	THAC0:	19
Organization:	Solitary	No. of Attacks:	3
Activity Cycle:	Any	Damage/Attack:	1-2/1-2/1-4
Diet:	Carnivore	Special Attacks:	Nil
Intelligence:	Low (5-7)	Special Defenses:	See below
Treasure:	Nil	Magic Resistance:	None
Alignment:	Neutral	Size:	M (5 feet high)
No. Appearing:	1-4	Morale:	Average (8 to 10)
Armor Class:	6	XP Value:	60
Movement:	4"/22"

There are many relationships in nature. Not only are there predator-prey relationship, and parasitic relationships, but there are symbiotic relationship, where both parties benefit, neither at the expense of the other. In the wilder areas of the world, one may find a group of birds generally referred to as oxpeckers, birds that have adopted to a life with and on large animals. They survive by feeding on the ticks and pests that plague the beasts (as well as small amounts of the blood that oozes from the wounds). In return, the animal (generally a creature such as a buffalo, rhino, or elephant), benefits from having their own early warning system, warning their hosts of danger with their sharp eyes. It is a good relationship for both parties, as both the mammals have fewer parasites on them and are warned of danger (as any hunter will attest), and the oxpeckers stay healthy and well fed.

Nature duplicates such relationships with the dragonpecker. The dragons, as intelligent as they are, are still plagued by their own versions of ticks, flies, and other vermin (particularly the less intelligent dragons). Even the most evil of dragons provide safety for these birds, as they pick and clean their way over the immense bodies of these scaly beasts. Further, they serve to deal with small vermin that find their way into the cave, even creatures as large as giant rats and the various giant insects, spiders, and scorpions.

While dragons do not graze in the field like herd animals, providing the birds an opportunity to perch on their backs and look for danger, they provide other ways of warning their hosts. Generally a group of dragonpeckers "adopts" any one given dragon. The group rotates, with some staying with the dragon and in his lair, and those whose turn it is not to feed, remain outside the lair, seeking any harm that may come. They may be found perched on rocks or trees, or soaring above. They know that the dragon is their life, and are quite alert to possible dangers to "their" dragon, most notably adventurers.

Experienced dragon slayers learn to recognize the dragonpecker. Such hunters are both alert to the possibility of being spotted by the dragonpecker, whose calls will alert the dragon, and also to the fact that the mere sight of one can clue a person in on a hidden lair. One must be careful though; dragonpeckers have keen vision, and there is an extremely good chance that they will spot intruders (treat as detect invisible 25% of the time, and reduce effectiveness of a thief ability to hide in shadows by half). Further, dragonpeckers are known to flee these hunters, acting as if they were leading them to the dragon when in reality they lead them away, perhaps over quicksand (in the case of dragonpeckers around black dragons) or a cliff (in the case of many mountain species).

Combat: Dragonpeckers are not highly effective combatants. They generally prefer flight and letting the dragon do all the work of defense. If pressed, they can attack with their talons and beak thrusts, but this is generally of last resort.

An interesting note is that dragonpeckers that are fairly old begin to pick up strange traits from the dragons they feed on. In their quest for pests and parasites, dragonpeckers often ingest a lot of blood, and it is this blood that may impart the special abilities of a dragonpecker (a 25% chance that any dragonpecker has these imparted abilities). I do no list all of the potential abilites, but here are some suggestions:

Dragon type: Suggested Imparted Ability:

• Black acid attacks cause half damage
• Blue lightning attacks are at 2 per die of damage
• Green gas attacks are at half damage, save for none
• Red fire damage is saved against at +4
• White 50% immunity to cold attacks

Habitat/Society: The habitat of the dragonpecker is the dragon. Dragonpeckers are found with all types of dragons, and as a result are found from glaciers with white dragons to parched deserts with blue, red, brass, and copper dragons. It is very rare to encounter a dragonpecker that is not associated with a dragon (such a dragonpecker will not have the imparted abilities listed above), but if found will be in wilder regions that are known to have dragons.

Society-wise the dragonpeckers exist in small family groups, each group attached to a particular dragon. It is not unheard of the offspring of a dragon being attended by offspring of the dragonpeckers from one of the parents. In addition, generations of the same dragonpeckers are often associated with the same dragon.

Ecology: Dragonpeckers only exist with dragons, as they have difficulty surviving without them. Their fare consists of giant ticks, insects, rats, spiders, and such that plague dragons and dragon lairs. When not attached to a dragon, they feed on a variety of insects, arachnids, and small mammals.

FISHER HERON

Climate/Terrain:	Swamps and marshes	Hit Dice:	5
Frequency:	Rare	THAC0:	15
Organization:	Solitary	No. of Attacks:	2
Activity Cycle:	Any	Damage/Attack:	1-6/1-6
Diet:	Carnivore	Special Attacks:	Double strike
Intelligence:	Semi- (2-4)	Special Defenses:	Nil
Treasure:	Incidental	Magic Resistance:	None
Alignment:	Neutral	Size:	M (7 feet)
No. Appearing:	1-2	Morale:	Champion (15 to 16)
Armor Class:	4	XP Value:	470
Movement:	12"/12"

The fisher heron is an unusual creature that dwells in temperate to tropical swamps, including salt marshes. Humans do not often see it, but as it is a skillful hunter many of those who meet one rarely survive the encounter.

The principal prey of the fisher heron are lizard men, but in reality almost anything can be attacked. Anything that the fisher heron can bait that is. While its smaller, less dangerous brethren are content to stand motionless in or near water, waiting for a sizeable fish or frog to pass into striking distance, the fisher heron is a bit more active. While not actively seeking prey, this species has learned that certain items attract potential food items, such as shiny coins, gems, swords, and the like.

Acquiring such items either by searching the swamps and marshes or from past prey, the fisher heron places these items conspicuously near areas lizard men, bullywugs, humans, and others are known to pass through. When the unsuspecting individual spies the items and starts to pick them, he/she/it will notice that a number of pieces of the "treasure" lead off into nearby bushes or thickets. When the hapless individual comes close enough to the vegetation, the fisher heron lashes out with blinding speed. If the fisher heron has been successful, the individual will not have detected them, and be in a situation where they cannot flee immediately.

Combat: Like the harmless herons that feed on fish and small vertebrates, the fisher heron is able to strike with its long bill using blinding speed. In fact it is so fast that it is able to strike twice in one round, doing 1-6/1-6.

Fisher herons are in natural vegetation invisible as per the spell. Humans and others have the same chance to detect one as they would anything else that is invisible.

Habitat/Society: Solitary creatures, the largest number fisher herons are ever found in is a hunting pair, either a mated pair or two recently fledged siblings. Fisher herons are found in any marshy or swampy places, from coastal estuaries to interior bogs and such. They are also encountered from to time along rivers and in jungle areas.

Ecology: By and large the favorite prey of the fisher heron is lizard man, but bullywugs are often consumed. Though generally found in remote areas far from civilization, they do encounter and will readily feed on humans and demihumans when present. They are also known to feed on a variety of smaller birds, mammals, insects, and sometimes fish.

CANYON CORVAY

The canyon corvay is a relative of the desert corvay and similar in appearance (gray instead in color and a tad smaller), though varies greatly in habits. While its cousin ranges in huge flocks over the countryside in its search for food, the canyon corvay is either found alone or at most in groups of up to six. Instead of making an "honest" living, the canyon corvay often seeks to live off the goodwill of others.

This race is always on the look out for potential benefactors, ones the canyon corvay can "adopt" more or less permanently. Whether a nearby village or a travelling band of merchants or adventurers, the canyon corvay attempts to ingratiate itself into their good graces. Suddenly appearing, the canyon corvay begs, pleads, and whines to join the group, offering its services a guide. They claim to know all local dangers, that they will be of great aid in finding food and water, and know the terrain very well. In return for this valuable information, the corvay wishes to accompany the party or group, being provided rare and unusual food items and particularly anything valuable and shiny, such as gems or coins (the weakness of the desert corvay as well).

Unlike the desert corvay though, the canyon corvay is liable to throw caution to the wind when it sees a particular item it really likes. If that person will not part with it, then the corvay will attempt to steal it at the earliest opportunity, though always in a way that minimizes personal danger to the creature.

Canyon corvays are the ultimate turncoats, as they often lie in providing their information, providing what they think their benefactors wish to hear, and have been known to jump ship (so to speak) when a more attractive group shows up. The canyon corvay, if possible, will attempt to ingratiate itself with the new group and prevent the old group from knowing about; it never hurts to be in with more than one party or group, and there is no telling if the new benefactor will refuse the honor of the canyon corvay's company. If the corvay is forced to chose between groups, it will always choose the more powerful one, and gladly "sell" all that it knows about them. Beware the corvay's offers of friendship; if there ever was a fair-weather friend, this is it.

Combat: The canyon corvays are notorious cowards, but if forced to fight. Their beak attack does a surprising amount of damage for the size of this bird.

Habitat/Society: Canyon corvays are found in mountains, forests, grasslands, and in desert areas, though in general as the name might suggest prefer arid and semi-arid regions. Almost too chaotic to have a society, they exist only in small family groups, hopefully attached to some benefactor.

Ecology: Canyon corvays are practically parasites, their information sometimes scarcely useful and their association with others often a detriment. Their primary foods are small mammals, lizards, frogs, and insects, but they will eat just about anything, including carrion if need be.

Bibliography:

Austin, Oliver L. Birds of the World. New York: Golden Press, 1961.

Scott, Shirley L. Editor. National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Wasington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1983.