In the fields of Jekhri county the people tell tales of a winged omen. The presence of one of these harbingers is considered to be good luck, or even humorous. However, the more of them there are, the worse the omen turns.— Takalia, Travels in Grara
The Harbinger on the Skies
The birds of auspice are found throughout the nation of
Grara though they are more common in regions with flat terrain or gently rolling hills than more mountainous environs. They begin to appear during the spring as they return to
Breharan and leave in the autumn for warmer skyislands.
Their name and cultural image comes from their unusual mating call. Both sexes develop inflated chests - red and featherless - during the mating season which they drum with their heads. The sound produced is a mix of a boom, a slosh, and a jiggle; this unusual noise is likely why one bird is considered humorous and the red color why it is considered lucky. When many of them gather and start beating their chests with seemingly no regard for that small amount of gray matter in their skulls, the sound becomes overpowering likely leading to the belief that many of them are bad luck.
Appearance
These birds stand an average of 1.6 meters tall - most of that height being legs - and appear to be a ball of feathers with legs. They have fairly long necks but they usually keep their heads buried in their chest while grounded. Their feathers are white, black, or speckled and their beaks long with a pouch for holding fish they scoop from the waters of
Grara.
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Flavour of Doom
There are many things that these birds are said to herald. Bad harvests, poor weather, even social upheavals have all been blamed on this migratory avian.
A group is a bad omen but a single one seen is the bringer of a smile, a sign of good things to come to the observer, and is a particularly good omen for couples trying to have children.
The bird has a different flavour though, their reputation for bringing misfortune has led to them being hunted and therefore eaten. The bird is known for its greasy nature and stringy texture.
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