Chakaraka, Desert Raptors
Similar to the raptors in forested Rerya, the desert raptors known as chakaraka provide similar use. The delfir use them as beasts of burden or livestock. The flightless birds are well adapted to the desert heat and are capable of drinking only once every two weeks. Their bodies are remarkably efficient at holding in water.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Chakaraka are between six and seven feet tall and weigh 500 lbs. Their feathers are red or blue with white streaks. They use their sharp talons to rip apart whatever small animals they find, usually rats or rabbits. Their heads are small and their eyes keen. They have developed a transparent flap that covers the eye so they can still see in sandstorms. They have scaly, skinny legs.
Genetics and Reproduction
Twice a year in the lee of great ledges in the Deadlands, child-sized eggs hatch. The flightless mothers hurry to fan their fresh children. The children drink from their father's beak and steady their breathing. After several minutes each hatchling one by one croaks and calls out. It takes a couple of days until the hatchlings are walking with skinny, scaly legs. Within two weeks they are running and scampering among the loose stones and cliffs. The parents can breed again after this two week period.
Growth Rate & Stages
It takes four months to maturity, at which point they can breed.
Ecology and Habitats
The chakaraka are keen observers of wind direction and can find caves and shelter in almost any desert environment, even when it looks like there shouldn't be, they find it.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They eat primarily rats and bunnies in the desert. There are tales of chakraka being hungry for mortal flesh, but no one has witnessed this. Outsiders suspect these stories are just to keep them away.
They need to eat 15 lbs. of food a day but only drink a gallon of water every two weeks.
Biological Cycle
The raptors live up to fifteen years at which point they weaken and lose their protective feathers.
Additional Information
Domestication
The raptors are fairly easy to domesticate and breed. It takes three generations to breed the wildness out of them, but even first generation raptors can be tamed through food and water supply; they calm after eating or drinking water.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The chakaraka feathers are prized by the delfir for their frill and beauty. Many headdresses incorporate these feathers. Their talons also are used to adorn necklaces or crowns.
Average Intelligence
Can understand simple commands, but their brain power goes to wayfinding and remembering their paths to and from places. They can retrace their steps if they are 500 miles away.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Due to their transparent flap over their eye they are respected for their sight in storms. They also retain keen discernment in remembering their travel, being able to retrace their steps over fifty miles to within 10 ft. This proves invaluable to the delfir traders and merchants who wander the desert from Evoria or Rerya.
Origin/Ancestry
Descended from Woodland raptors in Deadlands
Lifespan
15 years
Conservation Status
The species is alive and well. Outsiders may think they are endangered but they simply hide in caves to escape the heat and rear their young there.
Average Height
6–7 ft.
Average Weight
500 lbs.
Average Length
5 ft.
Geographic Distribution
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