Funnel Hawk
A smaller relative to the famous phayu.
Biology #
Anatomy #
Funnel hawks bore spikes in their wings, resembling the phayu’s own impressive display, but on a miniature scale. The funnel hawk was much smaller, only slightly larger than a common crow. They had an aggressively angular beak, a thin long bone lying down its back, and upside-down Y-shaped patterns on the sides of their torsos.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities #
Like many birds of prey, funnel hawks possessed extraordinary eyesight, allowing them to see potential prey with great clarity from several meters away.
Arcane Lightning Consumption #
Funnel hawks’ magical abilities were not used for self-defense or hunting, but helped facilitate a unique source of energy gathering. Funnel hawks’ back-mounted, protruding long bone became erect during electrical storms, and the birds would rush to land on trees in the highest locations possible. They used their hooked beak and talons to resist the high winds and rain while waiting for a lightning strike. When lightning strikes the bone, magical enzymes within the bird work quickly to metabolize (and safely disperse) the vast power of the bolt. Funnel hawks could a single lightning bolt's energy to survive for up to a month without having to hunt smaller creatures.
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.
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.
Dietary Needs and Habits #
Funnel hawks preyed on small ground rodents like squirrels, rabbits, young silashophants and the like.
Biological Cycle #
During Storm Years, funnel hawks migrated to the Tuku Jungle where electrical storms become common.
Ecology and Habitats #
Funnel hawks can be found across Legere, but are far more prevalent in temperate climates.
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 catch small rodents and other ground mammals of appropriate size.
Trees were important to be located close by in the case of thunderstorms, which they could interact with for their unique metabolic process.
Domestication #
Funnel hawks could be trained as hunting animals and as messengers.
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.