Great Roc
Aquilagigas tolkienesis
Flying above the Northern grasslands and uplands of Siccora is the massive bird of prey known as the Great Roc (Aquilagigas tolkienesis). Standing 6 meters and a wingspan of 15 meters, this is a regular predator of the large animals that roam in its range. Great Rocs are usually large enough to eat their prey where they kill, able to scare off scavengers, this however has changed the use of their feet. Instead of having the ability to carry heavy animals long distance, the digits of the Roc are designed to lock in place when piercing the hide of large bodied animals, keeping them attached while ripping into vital areas with their razor sharp beak. However during breeding season, when there are chicks to feed Rocs switch to smaller animals that are easier to carry back to the nest to feed the young.
Great Rocs are solitary, only pairing up during the breeding season and then separate once the chicks fledge. Being so large comes at a cost, no tree in Siccora is capable of holding them and a nest, forcing them to nest on the ground, nests are usually abandoned ground sloth dens, which the smaller male will seal off the deeper area with boulders, dirt and plant matter to prevent predators from using another entrance to steal the eggs. Female Rocs stand in the shallow entrance and carefully lay 4 eggs which the male will incubate, their smaller size allowing them to enter the den more effectively than females. The female will do most of the hunting, with the male only leaving to drink and stretch his wings, occasionally hunting for himself while out. During this, the female will cover the entrance of the den with her body.
Great Rocs are solitary, only pairing up during the breeding season and then separate once the chicks fledge. Being so large comes at a cost, no tree in Siccora is capable of holding them and a nest, forcing them to nest on the ground, nests are usually abandoned ground sloth dens, which the smaller male will seal off the deeper area with boulders, dirt and plant matter to prevent predators from using another entrance to steal the eggs. Female Rocs stand in the shallow entrance and carefully lay 4 eggs which the male will incubate, their smaller size allowing them to enter the den more effectively than females. The female will do most of the hunting, with the male only leaving to drink and stretch his wings, occasionally hunting for himself while out. During this, the female will cover the entrance of the den with her body.
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