Seregaiwë, Blood Bird

The Seregaiwë (Ser-egg-E-weh) or Blood Bird is a rare form of Ivashu. These vile creatures can be found roosting in caves in the deep forests of Hârn. Nocturnal they fly at night using their keen sense of smell and ability to detect any warm blooded creature to prey upon.
The Blood Bird leaves its lair at night in search of prey. Once it finds its prey it latches on with its feet and extends its long lamprey like proboscis to drain the blood from its host. Blood Birds do not generally hunt in flocks, but they do roost in groups. Whilte not typically dangerous to humans, they will attack if disturbed in their lair or at night. The main threat to humans is they are known to carry a disease called Blood Fever which is a form of sepsis. Blood Fever causes a high fever, aches and pains, sweating. Most victims recover but are fatigued for several weeks afterwards.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Blood Bird is a snake like creature with about three feet in length. Weighing between three and seven pounds. Their long bodies are covered in fine downy feathers, like a baby chick.  Their have large velvetine covered wings are somewhat between that of a bird and a bat. Their heads are bare and leathery, dark brown to black.  They have small deep set black eyes in a forward facing configuration with long bluish pits that extend down their snouts.  The mouth is tubular and contans a long probosicis that ends in rings of small teeth.  They have small vestigial legs with claws they use to grasp their prey.

Genetics and Reproduction

Like all Ivashu, Seregaiwë are sterile.

Growth Rate & Stages

All Blood Birds encountered to-date appear fully formed, no juviniles or small versions have been encountered.

Ecology and Habitats

Blood birds inhabit the deep forest and usually roost in caves hallow logs or trees.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Seregaiwë as its name convey's is a blood drinker much like a tick or mosquito, they latch onto thier prey with vestigial claws, extend a multi-toothed probosucs and drain the blood of their prey.

Behaviour

Blood Birds have animal like intelligence and

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

In caves and in dens in the deep forests of Hârn.

Average Intelligence

Animal intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Seregaiwë have small eyes that do not perceive light well, however they have deep bluish pits along their eyes and down their snouts that can percieve differences in hot and cold enabling them to navigate in dark conditions.  They have a keen sense of smell especially for warm blooded creatures.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Seregaiwë are parasites and feed on the blood of other creatures.

Lifespan

7 years

Average Height

3" (7.5cm) tall

Average Weight

4#s (2kg)

Average Length

3'-4' (1m-1.3m)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Blood Birds typically have muted colouring with of dark tan to light brown fur and grey rings around the body. The head is bald and leathery usually black or dark brown with blush pits leading from their small dark eyes down their snouts.