Heartstealer, Avian

Family: Avian
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: 30 years
Sexual Maturity: 5 years
Litter Size: 2-3 eggs
Birthing Type: Oviparous

Appearance:

The heartstealer is a very large, magnificent looking avian. It stands at seven feet to the shoulder, making it one of the largest avians known in Izarn. All four legs are very long and spindly, similar to that of a crane, and, like a crane, the heartstealer also has an elongated, flexible neck. Its beak extends 1-1.5 feet in length, tapering to a sharp point. The end sports a wicked hook that helps it scoop out the innards of its prey.

The heartstealer’s fur is black to charcoal gray in coloration, and the males sport a bright red plume on their chests. The eyes are surrounded by a blaze of white, which tapers backwards to an elegant crown on the head and neck. In males, this white crown flushes red during the mating season.

The primary wingspan is around 18 feet, while the secondary set of wings tends to be closer to 10-12 feet.

Habitat:

The heartstealer resides primarily in the swamps surrounding Anygh. Because of the massive industrial expanse this beautiful predator has become a very rare sight. It is, never-the-less, extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

Behaviour:

The heartstealer is a solitary predator, being so large and voracious of appetite a small territory cannot sustain more than one of these giant avians. They patrol territories of several kilometers, and will fight viciously with any other heartstealer they see. They are highly aggressive, and will even take on other predators much larger than themselves.

The heartstealer relies on sight and sound to hunt its prey, and is therefore mainly active during the daylight hours. It will spend much of its time patrolling its swamp and searching for appropriate prey. Preening is not very important to the heartstealer, as its fur is guarded by a layer of water resistant oils, and added swamp sludge better allows it to camouflage with its environment. The heartstealer enjoys bathing in the murky waters of its swamp, and after achieving a full belly it will often spend its time laving in the water.

Diet:

The heartstealer is not a picky eater. It is capable of digesting almost any organic matter, including rotting and putrid meat. It is a very strong hunter, though, and will take down living prey without hesitation, regardless of size. It is even known to take down the occasional LC!

The heartstealer gets its name from its peculiar method of eating. It will rip open a carcass and drive its hooked beak deep into the tissue. The heartstealer always devours the animal’s organs before working on the meat. The heart appears to be a particular favourite, but they also make quick work of the liver and lungs. The heartstealer will then eat much of the muscle, and leave the skin and bones behind.

While primarily carnivorous, the heartstealer will also eat the occasional fruit.

Reproduction:

A female heartstealer will only come into heat once every 2 years. When she’s receptive, she will start to call from her territory: a low pitched groaning noise that is very difficult for the average LC to hear. This sound travels for several miles, and will attract all neighbouring males to her territory. The innate aggressiveness of the heartstealer does not diminish during the mating period, though. Males will actively attempt to kill one another, and the female will not tolerate large amounts of other males in her territory. If the males don’t pick each other off, she will make quick work of the weaklings. Anyone remaining after these bloody periods will be permitted to mate with her, and then will instinctively fly off, or risk a similar fate.

The female will gestate her eggs for three months. During this period she will build a large nest of twigs, bones, and the hides of her prey. These nests are built in small land patches amongst the swamp itself. The heartstealer is too large to nest properly in a tree, and therefore must risk raising its young on the ground. 2-3 football sizes eggs will be lain after this three month period, and the mother will cease hunting in order to incubate them. She won’t leave her nest for any period of time. Smaller swamp carnivores, particularly the giant amphibians, would make an easy snack out of her eggs. Her only meals will consist of any animal that strays within striking distance of her nest.

The eggs hatch within a month, turning into tiny bald chicks. The mother will then have to risk hunting in order to feed them, but she never strays far. Her chicks will be helpless and vulnerable to attack for the next few weeks. She herself will do little eating. Once she has successfully acquired a prey animal, she will drag it back to her nest and feed her chicks until the entire carcass is gone. During this time she may even eat the hide and bones she normally so detests in order to gain some nutrients for herself.

Chicks will fledge around two months of age, and once they are strong enough to fly they will be immediately driven from the nest. The bond between parent and chick dissolves, and now the chicks themselves will be seen as prey. They will remain in the mother’s territory until they are about a year old, but will have to hunt and defend themselves.