Bestiary: Birds

Birds are one of two major groups of flying archosaurs. They are distinguished from pterosaurs (see Imps and Wyverns) by their unique branching feathers instead of a hair-like body covering. These feathers have allowed birds to develop a unique type of wing which can fold tightly against the body, is less resistant to damage, and can be controlled by the movement of specialized feathers. Some of the feathered archosauria do not fly and these so-called "flightless birds" are not included in this section (see other sections, especially Ratites and Sea Life.)

BIRD EXAMPLES        length          mass   

Archaeopteryx         ???         70 - 370 g
Bustards           45 - 120 cm   1.0 - 18 kg
Condor                  110 cm         14 kg
Vulture            53 - 115 cm   1.5 - 10 kg
Swans             115 - 155 cm  6.5? - 16 kg
Geese              50 - 110 cm      ???
Ducks              30 -  85 cm      ???
Cranes             90 - 140 cm      ???     
Stork              86 - 115 cm      ???     
Whaleheaded Stork 100 - 200 cm      ???     
Marabou Stork           150 cm      ???     
Albatrosses        83 - 135 cm      ???     
Crows              45 -  55 cm      ???     
Raven                    64 cm      ???     
Secretary Bird    125 - 160 cm      ???     
Falcons            25 -  50 cm      ???     
Gyr Falcon         51 -  58 cm      ???     
Wild Turkey        86 - 122 cm      ???     
Eagles             30 - 100 cm      ???
Template: Bird of Prey                   TotalCP: 11
Length: 0.4 - 0.8 m   CC   Stride Reach  Agi Abs Pwr
Mass:   8 - 24 kg    3 kg  1/3 m  0.5 m   1  -1  -1

ABILITIES            Mod
Flight                2
Detection             3
Stealth               2
Thumbless            -3

LIMBS      Description                           Qty
Secondary: talons                                 2
Other:     wings and beak                         3

NATURAL WEAPONS          Special Agi Rch Pwr Shp Qty
Beak and Talons                   1  0.5 -1  -2   3
Template:   Pest Bird                    TotalCP:  2
Length: 0.2 - 0.6 m   CC   Stride Reach  Agi Abs Pwr
Mass: 0.8 - 1.6 kg   300 g  1/6 m  0 m    3  -3  -3

ABILITIES            Mod     
Flight                2     
Detection             3    
Navigation            2
Thumbless             3

LIMBS       Description                          Qty
Secondary:  Talons                                2
Other:      Wings, head                           3