Unlike More Traditional Woodpeckers Who Root Around For Interesting Larvae And Boring Insects, Acorn

Unlike more traditional woodpeckers who root around for interesting larvae and boring insects, Acorn Woodpeckers have a symbiotic relationship with Granary Trees (an ancient offshoot of mighty Oaks). Without the help of these chisel-beaked avians, Granary Trees would strangle as their own acorns germinate inside them. After removing the acorns, these unusual woodpeckers will proceed to bury them in underground caches as emergency food in case of a harsh winter; come spring any caches that were not consumed sprout new Granary Trees, beginning the cycle anew.

Greater Prairie Chickens have evolved incredibly complex auditory organs through millenia of predation. Featuring swiveling auricles, inflatable amplification chambers, and removable micro-SD storage, these birds are capable of hearing a human footfall from a distance of three Canadian football fields. Despite their amazing perception, these birds are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to human encroachment on their traditional territory.

If you look in bestiaries dating prior to the late Medieval era, you will find no mention of the humble Vulture. The reason for this is simple: they were renamed shortly after the Hundred Years War, as they were the unofficial mascot of soldiers who carried a peculiar weapon into battle. Voulgers were semi-trained soldiers equipped with a voulge, which was essentially just a meat cleaver strapped to the side of a long stick. Despite its simplicity the weapon was devastatingly effective, attracting these carrion birds for miles around.

The endangered Gross Blue Heron is an awful, terrible bird. It can be trivially identified by its unkempt greasy feathers, clouded eyes, and (should you be unfortunately downwind) the stench of rancid meat. Further compounding their vileness, these birds are measurably racist. It is strongly recommended amateur naturalists bring along a small pistol or club for use in the event this despicable beast deems them ‘impure’. Regrettably, their status as an endangered species requires a preponderance of evidence that one’s life is threatened before their destruction is permissible, so be gentle when fighting this disgusting, horrid creature or you may face severe repercussions.

While they ordinarily feed on fish, crabs, and small birds, Pelicans working in coastal cities will occasionally imbibe alcoholic beverages in order to become intoxicated. Believed to be a form of stress relief after long days of thankless work, these drunken seabirds can hold up to one quarter firkin of alcohol in their mouths at a time. Above, a Brown Pelican has a wobbly flight home after three mouthfuls of cider.

Ordinarily, parent pigeons will begin producing ‘crop milk’ to feed their chicks shortly before the eggs hatch. One of the more horrifying implementations of this nurturing exudate can be found in the Luzon Bleeding-heart dove. Incapable of regurgitation, these birds peck a small hole through their own torso in order to allow their young access to the crop. Thankfully baby bleeding-hearts only need this for a period of two weeks before they are grown enough for small caterpillars and seeds, at which point the wound is allowed to close.