Harpy (Tikena)

*This article refers to the world of Tikena.*

Sinerostrum laetus

Harpies are the most genetically varied of the greater sapients. Unlike sirenians and humans, whose genera possesses only one or two living species, the genus *Sinerostrum* (latin for "beakless") is composed of a dozen species of harpies from all across the world. Every living harpy species can trace their ancestry to the Backwing Harpy, a species native to New Zealand whose closest living relative is the Kea. Harpies are both the most intelligent and largest type of parrot, and some species can grow to nearly the size of a human. The largest known species of harpy is the European Goldback (or Olympian) Harpy, that can grow up to 155cm tall head-to-toe.

## Genetics

Sinerostra are extremely genetically and physeonomically diverse for a single genus, and come in many different sizes and colors. They have a large collection of feathers in their head akin to human hair, and their wingspan is generally 3-4x their body height.

Sexual Dimorphism in most Harpy secies is quite noticeable. Males tend to be larger and more vividly colored than females, who instead have longer wings and stronger legs. This is because in most harpies, large-scale migrations of mothers who bring their chicks mean females have a greater need for better flight.

## Society

Harpies do not commonly interact with humans or maidfish. They generally live reclusively in the mountains or forests, avoiding humans whenever possible. Most harpy societies are very primitive, akin to the early human tribes. Harpies form their own tribal "nations" in the skies of anthroambystomic states, known as pouliethnons. The largest pouliethnons can grow up to the size of a mid-sized country. There have been some limited instances of harpies joining anthroambystomic society, but largely in unverifiable myth and urban legend. Despite their isolation, harpy sapience is a solidly confirmed fact.

Much like every greater sapient, advanced linguistics is present in all species in the sinerostrum genus. Harpy languages are extremely alien to human ears, sounding closer to music than to common speech, but the field of Sinerostrian Linguistics is flourishing and rapidly evolving. There are currently 95 recorded harpy languages, out of an estimated 12,200 total.

## Species

### Sinerostrum Iaetus

The ancestor of all living harpies, the Backwing looks much alike their Kea ancestors. Their brightly coloured inner wings are hidden by a brown coating, but create a truly fantastic display when spread in flight.

Backwings are among the smaller Harpy species, and have a high wing:body ratio. Although native to New Zealand, the spread of anthroambystomic congresses thousands of years ago allowed them to reclaim the world and become the most populous harpy species.

These harpies are found in every continent but Antarctica.

### Sinerostrum Graecus

Once widespread across all of Europe, the Olympian or Goldback Harpy has been struggling to compete with humans and maidfish. These are the largest species of known Harpies, at 155cm in height. It's so big in fact that it struggles to lift itself through its wings, and has to rely on mountainside winds to get by, like andean condors.

Since the formation of congresses, Goldbacks have lost their hegemon over Europe to Backwings and to the North American Plains Harpy, although they have since survived on the Balkans, Alps and Greek mountains.

### Sinerostrum Atlanticus

The proud Laurentine roams across the planes of North America and Europe. These fearsome predators find themselves the only species not outcompeted in their home turf by Backwings.

They hunt for fish along the Mississipi, Atlantic and Rhein, but can be found all across the Great Plains in mating season. In America, they stay strong as top predators, but their reign over Europe is rapidly receding due to human influence.

### Sinerostrum Borealis

The silent Arctic Harpy, better known as the Scandinavian Harpy, hunts in the cold tundras where Laurentines dare not cross. Don't let their stature as the smallest harpy fool you - these are the undisputed tyrants of the North, and both wolves and polar bears know not to mess with their cacophonies.

Only reaching up to 100cm, they hunt large prey with tools in packs, and are known to occasionally catch small wolves and drop them from mid-air. Nearby Trondelag, they sometimes have conflict with humans. Arctic Harpies have the largest wing:body ratio of any living harpy.

### Sinerostrum Africanus

Native to the Arabian desert, these harpies crossed the Red Sea into Africa. They became widespread across the Sahara and Sahel, and even as far south as Somalia. Back in Arabia, they were outcompeted by Backwings when congresses first sprung in the Levant and, later on, settled society in solitary human tribes in the peninsula proper. Disappearing from Arabia, they were later identified by Arabs as "Sudanese Harpies", giving them their modern name.

A rare but not unheard of mutation in their DNA sometimes causes the back of their wings to turn bright blue.

### Sinerostrum Cursor

Closely related to the Sudanese, the Kicking Harpy is found deeper in the Sahel and around the Niger river. It's almost flightless, althought it can still fly short distances to trees or glide across cliffs. They have the strongest legs of any harpy, and are excellent runners.

One of the most unique aspects of their species also happens to be their namesake - the way they hunt. These harpies kill their prey by embracing them with their wings and kicking them with their strong claws, much like velociraptors and other raptorial non-avian dinosaurs.

### Sinerostrum Umbra

The Dusk Harpy is simmilar in appearance to Cassowaries, and found in the same environment. These lone parrots travel across the eastern indonesian isles and Australia several times through their lives, and unlike most harpies live alone. Their unusually large tallons make them extremely dangerous, although their diet consists mostly of fruit.

Dusk Harpies can sometimes grow up to 150cm in height, making them the second tallest species of harpy.

### Sinerostrum Chloropterus

Despite being geographically closest to Laurentines, the closest relatives of Amazonian Harpies are actually Olympians. They're quite small, only slightly larger than Scandinavians at 110cm. They fly through the Amazon river elegantly, their radiant colors painting the morning sky of the forest, from Marajó to Iquitos.

Females are much more green and yellow than red and blue, and males serve as the primary parental figure for chicks.

### Sinerostrum Zanzibarius

Dominating South and East Africa, the Wined Harpy is the youngest species of harpy, only splittling apart from Sudanese harpies around 270,000 years ago. Despite their visual similarities, Wined Harpies and Secretary Birds occupy very different ecological niches. They mostly eat fish on the Indian Ocean coast, and are strong long-distance flyers that travel across massive portions of Africa throughout their lives.

Wined Harpies are quite territorial, and their pouliethnons go to war fairly frequently.