Accipheran Sea Eagles

Accipheran Sea Eagles are creatures similar to eagles on Earth, but like Kilkan Yaks, are much larger than their Earthern counterparts. They are the largest organisms capable of flight on Acciphere. They can fly faster than the speed of sound.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Accipheran Sea Eagles are huge eagle-like creatures. Their feathers are generally tougher than steel. They are powerfully built. They have a wingspan of around 25 feet. Males have a bright plumage on their heads; females lack this. Accipheran Eagles are famous for being able to fly faster than the speed of sound; though they seldom fly at speeds of more than 50 km/h.

Genetics and Reproduction

Accipheran Sea Eagles are of two species: the Northern Accipheran Sea Eagles, and the Southern Accipheran Sea Eagles. Northern Eagles live in the north and never venture southward, and vice versa. Both species reproduce within their communities, but they can interbreed to produce a rare Accipheran Sea Eagle species called the Intercal Accipheran Sea Eagles. Intercal Accipheran Sea Eagles are born sterile and cannot reproduce.
In their method of reproduction, Northern eagles and Southern eagles have some differences. Northern eagles form pairs for life, much like Hydrolynxes. When a mate dies, they may take another mate. Southern eagles do not form pairs for life. Both species of eagles don’t follow a specific time of the year or season for mating.

Growth Rate & Stages

Accipheran Sea Eagles have a lifespan of about 40 years, and they mature at around 10 years of age. Their life span can be divided into three clear divisions:

1. Egg Stage

After mating, Accipheran Sea Eagles lay one to two large eggs, which may be up to a foot in length. A female can only lay eggs five times in her lifespan and never while other eggs or fledglings are still in the nest. The egg(s) takes about 5-6 months to hatch.

2. Fledgling Stage

After the egg(s) hatches, the fledgling(s) is blind, has no feathers, and is flightless. It is entirely dependent on its parents for survival. After a week, it can see. It develops soft feathers and is capable of flight at around 3-4 years of age. It acquires a wingspan of 10 feet by the time it leaves the nest.

3. Adult Stage

After the fledgling(s) is capable of flight, it leaves the nest within one to two months. It then starts eating rocks, which causes its feathers to harden and become as strong. By the time it completes growth and reaches its 25-foot wingspan, it is about 8 years in age. It becomes mature and starts searching for a mate at the age of 10 years.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Accipheran Sea Eagles need to eat rocks regularly to maintain their steel-like feathers. They migrate to land when they do this and eat mammals and other creatures, often snatching away cattle. However, they can stay for months over the seas, gliding far overhead and catching fish and bigger creatures like whales. They do not attack or feed upon Hydrolynxes. They attack humans for food, mainly those on ships.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Accipheran Sea Eagles are generally lenient with other members of the species. They are usually solitary when not nesting. When nesting, both males and females of the northern eagles take part in raising the fledgling(s). The female usually stays at the nest and defends the fledgling(s). Males usually get food and other necessities. However, only the female in the southern sea eagles raises her young. The male helps when the fledgling(s) is just hatched and young but usually leaves by six months.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Accipheran Sea Eagles were once hunted to near extinction, being considered as pests. Their feathers are incredibly valuable, since they serve as a more durable material than metal. However, it’s also quite expensive, since killing it is necessary to gather its feathers. There are laws against hunting Accipheran Sea Eagles, and submarines are considered the best method of travel across continents so as to not disturb the great beasts. However, they can be killed when they attack a ship. Poachers usually make use of this rule, by sailing ships, enraging the eagles, and then killing them.

Facial characteristics

Accipheran Sea Eagles have strong beaks, around ½-1 feet in length. Their eyes are piercing. Male Accipheran Sea Eagles have brilliantly colored plumage on their heads, the colors varying by species. Northern male eagles have red or yellow colored plumage, the southern male eagles have blue and green colored plumage and all Intercal eagles have a pure white plumage.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

These great animals are spread across all seas and oceans of Acciphere (excluding inland seas), and coastal areas.

Average Intelligence

Accipheran Sea Eagles have a pretty decent amount of intelligence, and their colonies are organized radially. Recent studies have proven this to be true. But even though they're smart, they're not as high-level as humans. They rank fourth in the top ten smartest animals on Acciphere.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Accipheran Sea Eagles have great eyesight, making up for what they lack in smell and hearing. It is said that an Accipheran Sea Eagle can see ants scurrying on the ground 5 km overhead clearly.

Scientific Name

Accipheris Maris Filii Aquilae

Origin/Ancestry

Descended from the land-loving Accipheran Eagles

Lifespan

40-50 years

Conservation Status

Accipheran Sea Eagles are classified as vulnerable. They were at one time almost hunted to extinction (being seen as pests to ships), but conservation efforts have increased their numbers.

Average Height

9-10 feet tall, with a 24-26 foot wingspan

Average Weight

around 90-110 kilograms

Average Length

around 10-12 feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The eagles usually have gradients of colours on the monochromatic scale, and some even carry a hint of brown. They have some white spots on their feet, and they increase in size or number with age. Intercal Accipherian Sea Eagles are usually jet black in color.

A Foe Becomes a Friend
Some people in both Water Kingdoms have tried to pet the Accipheran Sea Eagles. Where most have failed, some have succeeded. Furthermore, it's often discouraged to pet these eagles, since they're known as symbols of bad luck. But when people look beyond that, some very unique relationships are formed between man and beast. And they might even agree to hop onto their back if you're good enough to them!