Hamurot

The sunset and sunrise upon the Kahursa islands are marked with a rhythmic hammering sound. The Gillians and Lizardmen of the island associate these sounds with the beginning and end of their working hours- going as far as to use them as announcements of labor. Under Kahursan Rule these sounds became something of bitternance to the denizens of the island, but with the rise of Umbuso they stand now as a symbol of Kahursan pride. The noise maker, Hamurot, is seen fondly by most native populations for its endearing determination to announce each day. By Amnisicans, it’s seen as a reminder of their mainland home- a cousin to the mighty Elka’Oah.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Hamurot are an endemic species of Elkaornithforme to the Kahursa island. They are close cousins of the mainland Elka’Oah and likely share a direct common ancestor. They share many of the traits of their mainland relatives albeit on a smaller scale. These birds do not hold the niche of predator like their cousins do. They’re still just as nimble and maneuverable, but instead of chasing they’re often the ones being chased. Their feet end with three claws which can leave grievous lacerations and puncture wounds with a kick but are more often used to simply drag debris away in the undergrowth. Given their smaller size, they are slightly more arboreal than the ‘Oah as well, able to scale up the sides of trees to safety in their canopy.

Omnivores, Hamurot can and will eat just about anything. They use their broad, blunt beaks to great effect in this area; able to crush open shells and break the chitinous shells of insects. Among their favorite meals are the eggs of other animals which they’re keenly adapted to break open. If aggressed these swings can also be used combatively, able to break bone with a hearty peck of their hammer-like beak. They’re not above cannibalism and often eat their rivals' hatchlings and eggs. Such feeding habits have become problematic for human settlement as they are known to raid chicken hutches to gorge in surplus.

Hamurot lay their eggs during the fall which then hatch before winter to capitalize on the coming death the cold brings. Hamurot chicks are covered in a red-orange fuzz which protects them from the intense cold. They can remain active even in below-freezing conditions where other animals would struggle. Of course, Hamurot chicks are not totally safe given the nature of other adult Hamurot, so they secrete a sweet smelling odor that their mothers are innately perceptive to the changes of. If the baby is disturbed, she will know if she is within a distance to catch the scent. Given the sweet odor, it is often used as a perfume by local maidens.

#### Psychology

A curious but largely unsocial animal, Hamurot may form small groups of four individuals. These groups are often siblings or mated pairs, acting as cohesive groups to secure quarries. They coordinate to confuse nesting mothers to steal their eggs or break into chicken coops to plunder at their leisure. Hamurot are notoriously competitive with each other and will fight regularly- particularly between males. Males also do most of the infanticide, regularly stealing away to attack their rivals nesting sites. Females are far less forgiving of these actions and will certainly butcher a previous nest-raider if they find them again. Hamurot warn of their presence and territory by bashing their heads into trees to carve marks upon them. These markings are largely carved during sunrise and sunset, hence the cultural phenomenon around the beast.