Eclayoran Night Hawk

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Eclayoran Night Hawk has long sharpened talons that are black and dull in colour. It has long tail plumage; its underside more of a night sky blue-grey, almost black and its topside appears a dark brown with blackish bands to camouflage it from above and in trees. It has a broad body with rounded wings. Adults are dark black-ish brown above with white speckles on dark nightsky mimicking plumage on the underparts. It is similar in size to an average crow with the males being slightly smaller. It has a larger head than most hawks with a slightly rounder face. It has a typical hooked hawk like beak which is grey-black and large dark eyes, similar to an owl's for better sight in the dark forests it hunts in. It appears to also have owl like qualities in the way of its slight ear tufts which are black and banded with white-grey.

Ecology and Habitats

Their most common habitat is the southern forests of Eclayora Map where it tends to hunt at night, swooping down on prey from a safe perch in trees.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Eclayoran Night Hawk predominantly hunts small rodents, lizards and even smaller varieties of birds.

Behaviour

Predominantly solitary, with the exception of travelling in flocks for migration, the Eclayoran Night Hawk spends most of its time alone. It hunts almost silently and kills with its talons unlike most other predatory birds. It is most active at night in terms of hunting and will tend to freeze if cornered in daylight, seeming almost tame. This is a defense mechanism.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Predominantly southern Eclayora, in the more forested regions e.g. Yoswaine, Aplenne, Trauque, Oclia and Ostington.

Average Intelligence

The Eclayoran Night Hawk is about as intelligent as many corvidae family birds. Adept at problem solving and pattern recognition, they are among some of the smartest birds in Eclayora. So much so that they are considered symbols of intelligence and observance by some.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Eclayoran Night Hawk has superior vision, especially in the dark thanks to its binocular vision and having an increased rods to cones ratio in their eyes compared to humans. 
They also have more sensitive hearing than most birds as it is instrumental to their nighttime navigation and hunting.

Scientific Name

Accipitridae

Lifespan

10 - 15 years in the wild

Conservation Status

The species is fairly common in the southern more forested regions of Eclayora and is not at all endangered.

Average Weight

Male: 210 - 400 g Female: 310 - 680 g

Average Length

Male: 35 - 37 cm Female: 40 - 45 cm

Eclayoran Night Hawk CR: 1/8

Small beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 13

Hit Points: 6 (3d4) 3d4

Speed: 5 ft , fly: 60 ft

STR

5 -3

DEX

16 +3

CON

8 -1

INT

8 -1

WIS

14 +2

CHA

6 -2

Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +3

Senses: Darkvision 120ft, Passive Perception 14

Challenge Rating: 1/8

Flyby. The Hawk dose not provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of enemy reach.
Keen Hearing and Sight. The Hawk has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or hearing.
Stoop. If the Hawk descends by 30ft before making its Talon attack it can roll and additional 3D4 3d4 for its damage.

Actions

Talon. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., 1 target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) 1d4+2 slashing damage.