Funnel hawks were crow-sized, lightning-charged, magical birds of prey.
Biology
Anatomy
Funnel hawks had a set of storm magic1 crystal2 infused bone spikes in their wings, similar to its larger cousin, the phayu. Funnel hawks had sharp talons and a very large, angular beak reinforced for the high-speed impacts delivered by a diving bird.
Funnel hawks had light brownish-grey plumage across their bodies, which helped them to blend into stormclouds. A distinctive black Y-shaped pattern was visible on their bellies.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Like many birds of prey, funnel hawks possessed extraordinary eyesight, allowing them to see potential prey with great clarity from extremely far away. Funnel hawks’ eyes were vasmantically-enhanced, allowing them to pinpoint targets for their lightning strike dives.
Arcane Biology
Funnel hawks used the arcanoforms within the spines in their wings to store and unleash magical energy as they hunted. During thunderstorms, funnel hawks would recharge their crystals by flying through bolts of lightning. Once charged, funnel hawks’ spines would glow with an azure intensity, foreshadowing the various magical abilities it was ready to unleash.
Genetics and Reproduction
During mating seasons in the springtime, female funnel hawks grew three vibrantly coloured feathers on their heads to attract mates. Females would compete with each other for a mate. The colouration of these display feathers varies greatly from individual to individual.
Funnel hawks would search for mates in the beginning of spring, building a nest shortly after meeting a suitable mate and laying the fertilized eggs there for chicks to hatch by early summer.
The adult funnel hawks mated while mid-air in a spiraling dive. Magic radiating from the mating birds often caused storm systems to form around them.
Growth Rate & Stages
Funnel hawk chicks required 10 weeks to reach sexual maturity. However, they were prepared to leave the nest after only 5-6 weeks old. Their feathers were fully developed typically at the 5th week of their life.
Parental funnel hawks could impact the time that funnel hawks left the nest by stopping the flow of food. The parents’ discretion for the duration of raising the chicks was unique on an individual basis.
Hunting Habits & Diet
Funnel hawks preyed on medium sized terrestrial animals like sheep, cattle, silashophants and the like. On very rare occasions funnel hawks would opt to hunt people.
Despite preferring to hunt larger animals (perhaps for sport), funnel hawks only consumed a small portion of their prey due to their size.
Funnel hawks hunted by discharging their fulgurmancy to fall upon their prey with the speed and power of a bolt of lightning. Little could survive a direct hit.
Biological Cycle
During Storm Years, funnel hawks migrated to the Tuku Jungle where electrical storms become common.
Ecology and Habitats
Funnel hawks could be found across all of Legere, particularly towards temperate areas.
Funnel hawks were often found along the edges of forests bordering more open regions like grasslands or forest clearings. Dense forests and jungle regions were difficult for funnel hawks to hunt in, so they relied on keeping watch over areas with less vegetation in order to easily hunt their prey.
Territorial Aggression
Funnel hawks nested in treetop colonies. If they felt their nests were threatened, funnel hawks would gather into large kettles, unleashing their magical energy to summon a thunderous tornado to ward off the intruders.
Domestication
Funnel hawks could be trained as hunting animals and as messengers. Certain armies trained falconers in order to wield funnel hawks like weapons.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Female funnel hawks’ mating feathers were brilliant and beautiful, leading many hunters to try and hunt these birds down during the mating season. These feathers were often sold to the wealthy as flamboyant accents on formal attire.
Footnotes
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Storm magic is the application of both aeromancy and fulgurmancy in tandem. ↩
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Magic crystals are scientifically known as arcanoforms. ↩