The Crook Magpie
"With its loud, distinct chattering, black plumage and lengthy tail, there was ne’er a sharper, more inquisitive creature created by the Mother than the Crook Magpie."
The use of birds as working animals is common in Astaeria. Homing birds such as pigeons and ravens are used by certain organisations and guilds to carry urgent messages. Hawks and eagles are used as indicators of weather patterns and trained Cormorants are used by astute fisherman to assist in the catching of fish.
Crook Magpies, or simply 'Crooks,' excel at what they do.
When a trained Crook is sent through an open window of a house, the bird will automatically search for the shiniest object in sight.
It will then carry the object to its handler who will be lurking somewhere out of view, in the hopes of receiving some fruit or meat as a treat. The thief is then able to ascertain from the potential value of the item whether the house is worth entering to rob further.
Crooks are able to do this often undetected, though if they are caught they can merely fly to safety, cawing as a warning sign to their handler.
Unlike the Common Elvaran Magpie which has black and white plumage often with an iridescent sheen of blue and green, the Crook Magpie has been specifically bred to be as inconspicuous as possible. Forced evolution has caused the plumage of Crooks to appear dark black, grey and sometimes brown.
Common Magpies are fundamentally ‘jacks of all trades.’ They are scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, but their haughty attitude has seldom won them friends outside their species.
Crook Magpies, however, are socialised to be solitary creatures (unless they are breeding), relying only on their handler for company.
They enjoy a diet of dried meats, fruit, vegetables and specially grown vegetation, a much fancier and steady diet than their common Elvaran cousins.
The use of Crooks has declined somewhat over the years, largely because the Black Cloaks have been taught to shoot them down on sight.
Apparently, they are still actively bred for their traditional purpose by the Syndicate of Shadow who have a dedicated Crook Keeper who belongs to the Syndicate of Shadow. The prompting a further trend of Magpie Pie within the city.
There is even a tavern, in the Wallows area of Malvarron City, called the Crook Magpie, in honour of the creature who reportedly make the best Magpie Pies in Astaeria
History
The use of birds as working animals is common in Astaeria. Homing birds such as pigeons and ravens are used by certain organisations and guilds to carry urgent messages. Hawks and eagles are used as indicators of weather patterns and trained Cormorants are used by astute fisherman to assist in the catching of fish.
One of the most creative uses for a species of working bird, however, was discovered in Malvarron City in 253 A.E. by Cuthbert Fairfoot who found that Magpies could aid a thrifty burglar by scouting out potential marked properties, retrieving valuables and sending warnings to prevent the thief's discovery.
Fairfoot began to breed and sell Magpies to thieves, reprobates and ne'er do wells for these specific purposes, and business was very lucrative indeed. He even secured a contract with the elusive Syndicate of Shadow who still reportedly use Crooks to this day.
Fairfoot began to breed and sell Magpies to thieves, reprobates and ne'er do wells for these specific purposes, and business was very lucrative indeed. He even secured a contract with the elusive Syndicate of Shadow who still reportedly use Crooks to this day.
Shrewd Scouts
Crook Magpies, or simply 'Crooks,' excel at what they do.
When a trained Crook is sent through an open window of a house, the bird will automatically search for the shiniest object in sight.
It will then carry the object to its handler who will be lurking somewhere out of view, in the hopes of receiving some fruit or meat as a treat. The thief is then able to ascertain from the potential value of the item whether the house is worth entering to rob further.
Crooks are able to do this often undetected, though if they are caught they can merely fly to safety, cawing as a warning sign to their handler.
Appearance and Behaviours
Unlike the Common Elvaran Magpie which has black and white plumage often with an iridescent sheen of blue and green, the Crook Magpie has been specifically bred to be as inconspicuous as possible. Forced evolution has caused the plumage of Crooks to appear dark black, grey and sometimes brown.
Common Magpies are fundamentally ‘jacks of all trades.’ They are scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, but their haughty attitude has seldom won them friends outside their species.
Crook Magpies, however, are socialised to be solitary creatures (unless they are breeding), relying only on their handler for company.
They enjoy a diet of dried meats, fruit, vegetables and specially grown vegetation, a much fancier and steady diet than their common Elvaran cousins.
Use today
The use of Crooks has declined somewhat over the years, largely because the Black Cloaks have been taught to shoot them down on sight.
Apparently, they are still actively bred for their traditional purpose by the Syndicate of Shadow who have a dedicated Crook Keeper who belongs to the Syndicate of Shadow. The prompting a further trend of Magpie Pie within the city.
There is even a tavern, in the Wallows area of Malvarron City, called the Crook Magpie, in honour of the creature who reportedly make the best Magpie Pies in Astaeria
The 'Cock and Magpie', Drury Lane. by Open Artstor: Wellcome Collection
Scientific Name
Snica pica
Origin/Ancestry
Elvaran
Geographic Distribution
This is a great concept! As I mentioned over on the OTHER bird page (Twitter), I hadn't even considered aiding in larcenous acts as a 'working animal' concept! Bravo!!
Haha thanks so much for reading and commenting! Just thought it was a fun idea so I went with it :)