Ra'tar
| Ra'tar | |
|---|---|
| |
| A Rihan Ra'tar soaring through the skies | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia
|
| Phylum: | Chordata
|
| Class: | Aves
|
| Order: | Accipitriformes
|
| Family: | Accipitridae
|
| Genus: | Ratar
|
| Species: | G. ratar
|
| Binomial name | |
| Geranoaetus Ra'tar | |
The Ra'tar is an imposing carnivore bird of prey, unique to Rihan, with a body as long as a full-grown human and a wingspan twice that. The Rihannsu view the Ra'tar with tremendous respect and hunting them (like the Mogai Eagle) is considered a crime. It is the symbol of the warrior because the creature is fearless and proud, relying on their own speed and strength. In the earliest days of Rihannsu settlement in the land, nobles kept them as hunting pets, a practice still done in present times by the traditionally-minded, wealthy, and powerful.
Its plumage is red, running crimson along the wingtips and tail and deepening to rust along the body -- the head is dark red except for a crimson ring around its neck. The beak and talons are reddish-gold in color. This bird resides on the cliffs of the Kae'raktar Mountains, hunting for prey in the neighboring valleys and plains (including the Valley of Chula and the Aihai). The creature builds its nests by dragging rocks and boulders into a rough ring and then layers the center with grass, twigs, and branches -- the rocks help hide its home and any eggs from home.
Ra'tars are nocturnal hunters when their vision and coloring gives them an advantage. It devotes most of its waking time to hunting and feeding itself to provide the reserves of energy it needs to chase down its prey. These birds fly over their chosen territory, eyes alert to the slightest movement. Ra'tars prefer hunting small mobile prey like the gerik and the danat. Upon seeing its prey, the bird descends, its shrill cry splitting the night air in order to startle and deter other Ra'tars from to warn away from its territory. It delights in the hunt and usually teases its prey to try and get away. When it is bored of the game or the prey falters, the bird swoops down and grasps with its talons, lifting the victim high into the air and brought back to its nest.
While the Ra'tar is solitary by nature, a male defining its hunting territory which they shared with their mate and clutch, they will coordinate their attacks to overwhelm larger animals including kerosh and humans.