Ortú Cormorants
Znagrúkic: Ortú
Ortú cormorants1 is a general term for two species of marine birds endemic to certain coastal regions of southern Dragonía, namely the red legged ortú cormorant2 along the coast of southwestern Darlaa and southern Hrax on one hand, and the black-footed ortú cormorant3 found around the western Hahagak Sea.
In the most common version, a trio of cormorants dove into the primordial waters and each brought back a lump of clay in their beaks, which then became dry land. The birds then brought various materials from the sea and placed them on the newly formed earth, which then transformed into mountains, rivers, plants and other things until the sun rose from the sea, after which the cormorants rested on a cliff and spread their wings to dry off the feathers.
Znagrúks believe that Ut, capital of the Znagrúk Empire, was later founded on that spot, which is commemorated on a bas-relief above the city's gate, depicting a three-headed bird.
Harming an ortú cormorant is considered an act of sacrilege and punished in the same way as harming a person of high status would, and touching a dead bird forbids one to visit a shrine or partake in any religious activities for several days.
Ortú cormorants1 is a general term for two species of marine birds endemic to certain coastal regions of southern Dragonía, namely the red legged ortú cormorant2 along the coast of southwestern Darlaa and southern Hrax on one hand, and the black-footed ortú cormorant3 found around the western Hahagak Sea.
Cultural significance
The cormorants, particularly the red-footed variety, are sacred to the Znagrúks who rule Hrax in the southern Múlíat Mountains, as the bird is related to most of their creation myths.In the most common version, a trio of cormorants dove into the primordial waters and each brought back a lump of clay in their beaks, which then became dry land. The birds then brought various materials from the sea and placed them on the newly formed earth, which then transformed into mountains, rivers, plants and other things until the sun rose from the sea, after which the cormorants rested on a cliff and spread their wings to dry off the feathers.
Znagrúks believe that Ut, capital of the Znagrúk Empire, was later founded on that spot, which is commemorated on a bas-relief above the city's gate, depicting a three-headed bird.
Harming an ortú cormorant is considered an act of sacrilege and punished in the same way as harming a person of high status would, and touching a dead bird forbids one to visit a shrine or partake in any religious activities for several days.
Basic Information
Dietary Needs and Habits
Both species feed on various fish and small crustaceans found in the Súrkniss- and Hahagak Sea and estuaries, either in pairs (black-footed) or in small groups (red-footed). Znagrúk fishermen in the city of Pyn often bring a portion of their catch to special sanctuaries by the harbour, which are fed to the cormorants by the priests therein as thanksgivings.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Many Kóhans who inhabit southwestern Darlaa consider the red-footed variety delicious and traditionally bake the whole bird in an earth oven, a custom which has sparked numerous conflicts with the Znagrúks throughout history.
1Original icelandic: ortúskarfar, singular: ortúskarfur.
2Rauðfætti ortúskarfur.
3Svartfætti ortúskarfur.
Red-footed ortú cormorant by Lappalingur
Origin/Ancestry
Southern Dragonía
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Red-footed ortú cormorants have dark green and grey plumage with white and purple markings, while black-footed ones are dark blue with yellow markings
Geographic Distribution
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