This large, predatory avian is a resident of the deep forests
of Northern Immikair, the Death's Head hawk is named after it's
plumage, which is jet black throughout, with a white cap that looks
remarkably like a human skull. Death's Head hawks are known for
their intelligence and ferocity, and are highly sought after by
sport falconers. The wingspan of a Death's Head hawk can reach
almost two meters for an adult female, with slightly smaller spans
by adult males and juveniles. The "Death's Head" plumage only
appears in adults, as juveniles have a mottled brown and black
pattern that allows for a somewhat greater protection from
predators.
In their natural habitat, Death's Head hawks are almost
exclusively solitary, pairing only to mate, and spending as little
time raising the fledglings as possible. Juveniles prey on a wide
variety of species, from the snake-voles, to grey doves, to the
badeen rabbit deer. As they reach adulthood, the range of prey
species increases substantially, as the larger hawks can take on
the Immikair goblin cats, young hutmet, as well as several species
of around human size. That aspect of Death's Head hawks hunting
patterns has lead to attempts to eradicate them from around human
habitations, as the will not hesitate to make meals of children and
similar sized aliens, and particularly large or hungry hawks will
occasionally attack adults.
The commercial value of Death's Head hawks has also helped
lead to their decline in the wild, as hunters will shoot brooding
females to steal the eggs or fledglings, and while Death's Head
hawks are proficient hunters, they are no match for modern
technology. Death's Head hawks have bred in captivity, but without
any great consistency, and a loss of the wild population of the
hawks would lead to severe degradation of the gene pools of the
captive hawks. For that reason the government of Immikair has done
it's best to limit the take of Death's Head hawks, and has
attempted to regulate capture practices.
While the population in the wild of Death's Head hawks was
stabilized by these measures, the flow of hawks onto the market has
dropped precipitously, and prices of Death's Head hawks has shot up
precipitously.
Dexterity: 3D+1
Brawling parry 4D+1, dodge 5D+2, flying 7D
Perception: 3D+1
Search 6D+1, sneak 5D
Strength: 2D+2
Brawling 5D, climbing/jumping 7D
Move: 4, 38 flying
Average Size: 80 centimeters tall, 2.65 meters wingspan
Special Abilities:
Natural Weapons. Claws: STR+2D, doubled for a stoop
attack, Beak STR+1D+2. Stoop attacks can only be made when the
hawk has 1,000 meters vertical clearance, and takes no other
actions that round.
Eyesight. Death's Head hawks have a remarkable keen
sight, capable of distinguishing between a snake-vole's tail and a
yellow root from thousands of meters above the ground.
Weaknesses:
Death's Head hawks are uncomfortable when kept in confined
spaces for long times, and prolonged spaceflight has lead to
molting, disease, and occasionally death.