River Harpy

River harpies (AKA Kingfisher harpies, Queenfisher harpies.)
Height: 70-90 feet.
Threat: Low (if one stays on dry land) to very high (if one is in their river)
Habitat: Freshwater lakes and rivers Generally tropical or temprate ones.

River harpies are a rather uncommon breed of harpy well adapted to freshwater river and lake environments. They average at about 80 feet in height, and are rather slender when compared to other species of harpies. Rather than hair, they have long trailing feathers coming from their head, often forming a crest of sorts. Their legs are much like a bird’s, and have grey orange scales on their lower legs. Their toes have sharp, dagger-like talons. Their wings are slick, strong, and well suited to swimming as well as flying, and they have a short, stiff tail that can function as a rudder of sorts while they swim. They can hold their breath for a surprisingly long time, but they still need to breathe.

Their most striking feature is their plumage. The feathers of river harpies brightly colored in a broad range of iridescent hues. These can range from a bright sea green to a dark indigo and violet, with patches of orange or red on their underside. Often, they have patterns of glossy black as well. Their plumage seems to shimmer slightly in the light, and is often highly prized by humans and nekos. Finding the feather of a river harpy is considered an omen of luck (whether it’s bad or good depends on if the river harpy is still nearby or not).

Less noticeable, but more useful to the harpies, is the fact that their plumage has an oily quality to it, making it waterproof. This feature allows the river harpies to swim, which they do quite well. Indeed, their main method of hunting is wait up above a river or lake, then dive in to snatch up a fish, or a luckless diver. (This method earned the river harpies the nickname of Kingfisher, after the bird who hunts in a similar fashion. Some find this nickname irritating, some find it flattering, but most regard Queenfisher as the preferred term.) Alternatively, they can swim quietly through the water, then lunge up to catch prey on the banks of the river. They will only hunt on land if they are starving. However they are somewhat clumsy at it, often misjudging the distance to the ground, or even momentarily forgetting that it is ground rather than water.

Like most harpies, the River harpies always manage to make whatever they say into an insult. However, for them, the words ‘drown’ or ‘drowning’ carry a particularly negative connotation which goes beyond the normal use of insults in their speech. To refer to a river harpy as ‘drowned’ or ‘drowning’ will start a fight. Naturally, to die by drowning is considered the most shameful way to die and they will try to rescue anyone who is actually drowning.

Additionally, River harpies are largely quite proud of their bright plumage, and often go to lengths to show it off to others. Some even show off their plumage to humans and the like, and few can resist a request to let one see their feathers. In such a situation, if said human is particularly skilled at praising, they can avoid being eaten. If the harpy is really flattered, the human might even receive a feather as a memento. Possessing such a feather generally safeguards a human from being eaten in that particular river harpy’s territory, provided they continue to be just as eloquent in their praise.

River harpies are rather territorial. Normally they don’t mind predators of other species, provided that they don’t try to hunt in their section of river. However, if another river harpy or mermaid tries to move in, it can lead to a confrontation. These start out benign enough with only verbal insults. If said harpy or mermaid is just passing through, it doesn’t go any farther than that. However, if the river harpy is ignored or brushed off, it quickly leads to a fierce fight. (Trying to fish in a river harpy’s river without their permission is widely regarded as a form of suicide.) River harpies will only share their hunting grounds with family, extraordinary good friends, or in great need. A few river harpies will stay at a particular spot until the waters are depleted of prey and then move on, but most river harpies will get bored with their current stretch of river and leave to find new hunting grounds within a few weeks. Many river harpies tend to have a bit of wanderlust in them, and enjoy exploring new rivers and lakes.


As far as magic goes, river harpies are not particularly skilled. Some can learn to manipulate water and currents, but this is rather uncommon. However, all river harpies do have an uncanny knack for knowing where they are, where any potential prey and predators are, and knowing where to find rivers and lakes. It has yet to be found if this is a magical ability or not.


So, let me know what you think.

I think this is a great sub-species !
Very nicely described with many interesting aspects to it. Great work ^_^

This idea gets two thumbs up from me.

Thanks for your replies! I had debated for quite a while on whether or not to post it.

A swimming harpy is an interesting and original idea! I think you described it very well.
Looks like mermaids have yet more competition for hunting territory.

It's rather interesting. After I posted this, I found your topic about the Volaero mermaids. Mermaids aren't the only one with competition, it seems.