Storm Eagle

A Storm Eagle, also known as a Gale Rider, is a large bird of prey. It lives exclusively in the Boundary area of Ithlor, where it is one of the reasons why the deeper parts of that Boundary area are nearly impossible to pass.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Storm Eagles have a similar anatomy to the more common Sea Eagle or the Harpy Eagle. What sets them apart from any other species of Eagle however, is their size. Whereas the largest, more common Eagles have a wingspan of around 2 metres, an average Storm Eagle has a wingspan of over 4 metres.
They have white feathers on the underside of their body and wings, speckled with grey. Their top coat of feathers is usually brown. A variant of the species has silver feathers on the underside, with bronze feathers on its upper body. This variant is extremely rare and has only been documented twice in the history of Adhonaglamar.
The Storm Eagle has equally large claws; they can easily wrap them around a human head.

Ecology and Habitats

Storm Eagles live exclusively in the deeper parts of the Boundary of Ithlor. They are the kings of the sky, fearing no other predator, not even man. Their nests are built high up on the highests peaks of the mountains in the Boundary area. No one has ever managed to study a nest up close (or at least survive long enough to report on their findings).

Dietary Needs and Habits

Storm Eagles are carnivorous. As there are few animals who can survive in Ithlor's Boundary area, they mainly feed off of smaller birds (relatively speaking, as some of the other birds in the area can still have wing spans of 2 metres). Yet they will attack and eat any animal, or human, who ventures into their territory.
While hunting they will fly high up in the sky, making use of the fast winds that are typical for the Boundary area. This earned them the nickname 'Gale Rider'. They will often patrol their territory from high above. Their keen eyesight allows them to see movement over 500 metres lower, making them very hard to spot as the constant winds in the area make it difficult for anybody to look up for longer periods of time.
Once they spot their prey, they will dive down upon it at tremendous speed, unfolding their wings at the very last moment to slow down. This creates a loud, typical noise that brings to mind strong gusts of wind. Yet what makes their imminent attack even more fearsome is their screeching right before impact. Those who witnessed it say it chills you to the marrow. Hearing it means certain death for the prey they have chosen; no human has ever been attacked and lived to tell the tale.