Post by General Disaster on Oct 31, 2010 6:53:34 GMT -5
Gastornis Novus
Basic Details
Common Name: Axebeak
Average Height: 6'-6'5
Average Weight: 120lbs
Usual Pelt Colour: Axebeak heads are usually red, with yellow claws, legs and beaks, and blue plumage.
General Appearance: Standing massively tall, these birds are the very ideal of terror on legs. Garishly coloured, their massive beaks are like hatchets, cutting through bone and severing limbs. However, their wings are comparatively small, with tiny hook-claws more befitting a smaller bird.
Ecological Details
Habits: Living in small groups of one male, a few feamales, and chicks, these birds live in forests and tall grasslands, ambushing prey and mostly following herd animals. The chicks dictate the pace of the group, and when a female nests, the group will stay still until her hatchlings are strong enough to move. Despite being mostly herd predators, Axebeaks have also been known to work together to take down humans-tribals, it seems, are part of their list of favourite meals.
When chicks become adults, they leave the flock and look around for a group of females-the females tend to ground together until they find a male, and will live that way until they die. It has been noted that Axebeaks put a great deal of care into their young, and have died to protect their offspring; one infamous case was when two females took on an armoured car and won, just to protect a single egg.
After mating, it is rare for Axebeaks to lay more than one egg at a time, laying one egg every six months or so, and the flock will work together to feed them; the chicks will eat first, then the adults, until about six months later when the chicks have become adults and their parents begin mating again.
Diet: Herd animals, Tribals, Lone Humans
Predators: Naturally, nothing. Game hunters may try to kill them if they are suicidal or stupid.
Niche: Tall grasslands, forests.
By Products: Feathers, beak-axeheads, eggs.
Created by: GeneralDisaster