Bird
Bird | |
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Creature Type | |
(Subtype for creature/kindred cards) | |
Statistics |
367 cards
36.8% 35.1% 7.1% 2.5% 3.5% 5.2% 1.1% 0.3% 0.3% 0.5% 0.8% 0.5% 1.1% 1.9% 3.3% 48 Bird creation cards
as of Alchemy: Karlov Manor 37.5% 27.1% 4.2% 4.2% 20.8% 4.2% 2.1% |
Scryfall Search | |
type:"Bird" |
Bird is a catch-all creature type for animals characterized by having feathers, hollow bones, and wings. They are usually capable of flight.
General
Birds in the Magic universe can be of tremendous size and quite intelligent, while some are even anthropomorphic. Natural birds are usually blue or white balanced creatures with flying. Many of them, being blue, have deck-searching/drawing abilities. An exception is Birds of Paradise which is a Green, 0/1 with a mana acceleration-related ability.
The first creatures to bear the type Bird were Roc Hatchling and Circling Vultures in Weatherlight. Roc of Kher Ridges from Alpha, Osai Vultures and Mesa Falcon from Legends were later issued errata to become birds as well. The type Bird was eventually solidified in the Grand Creature Type Update.
Types
Aven
Aven are sentient, anthropomorphic bird folk found on several planes. Aven was introduced as a type on a test card but they remain birds in normal sets.
Aesthir
Aesthir are giant birds that were used by the Kjeldorans of Dominaria's Ice Age as flying mounts for their elite skyknights. Aesthir were highly prized by the Kjeldorans, with mistreatment or disrespect towards them being heavily frowned upon. Though the cold-weather breed gradually became extinct after the Ice Age ended and their natural habitat disappeared, a breed that could survive warmer weather was bred by Kjeldorans and exists to the modern day.[1][2]
It is said that Oriel Kjeldos was the first to train an Aesthir and that Márton Stromgald was the first to use them in combat against the goblins.
Birdfolk
Not to be confused with avens, birds are one of the animalfolk of Bloomburrow. They come in all species and are centered in white-blue.
Cranes
In Theros cranes are white aligned domesticated birds that fly into the battlefield to supply soldiers with weapons. In contrast, in Shenmeng they are wild, red aligned fire-breathing birds, albeit very distinct from the local phoenixes. Both seem to allude to mythology: cranes are depicted as "soldier-like" by Pliny the Elder, while in Chinese mythology the Vermilion Bird is a distinct entity from the Fenghuang (Phoenix).
Falcons
Mesa Falcons are dangerous birds on Ulgrotha that visit the Serra Aviary. Serra's Falconers can communicate directly with the birds. Mardu Horde falconers train massive falcons – which are also Rocs – as aerial steeds, often decorating them with their wing-like banners, giving them "a fearsome four-winged appearance".
Owls
Owls are predatory birds with distinctive flattened faces and, in some cases, paired tufts of feathers on their heads that resemble ears. Owls are sometimes kept as pets and familiars by wizards; some owls are also said to house the souls of deceased archmages.[3] On Ravnica, some owls are kept as couriers and fiercely protect the mail they carry.[4] During the War of the Spark, some of these owls joined in the battle against the Dreadhorde.[5]
Strixes or striges are a type of owl-like bird native to the Alaran shard of Esper.[6] They resemble ashen-colored screech owls with deep black eyes. Strixes are aggressive predators. The screech of a strix can drain the thoughts and memories of those who hear it, which in turn nourishes the bird — a form of psychic vampirism. They were kept as pets by Esper's scullers, who used them to hunt down unpaying clients.[7] During the Conflux, strixes found Grixis to be lacking in viable pray and instead migrated to Bant.[8]
Parea
The Parea are large, flightless, carnivorous birds living in the east of Jamuraa. They were mostly wiped out in the civilized areas of the continent but remained a danger in the wastes where they would hunt in packs and prey on travelers. During the Keldon invasion of Jamuraa, they were often found following the Keldon war barges looking for carrion and were therefore used to execute worthless prisoners, cowards, and traitors. The Darba are enormous relatives of the parea that would attack even well-armed Keldon encampments in search of food. They can grow upwards of twenty-five feet and are capable of picking up oxen in their beaks.
Perchers and other phyrexian birds
Perchers look nothing like normal birds, but more like flying squid. They were used by the Phyrexians and Rathi to relay messages across long distances, due to their parrot-like ability to memorize and repeat short phrases. Despite their allegiance, they are not typed as Phyrexians; the plane that would become Phyrexia had "strange birds", implying that they might be remnants or corruptions of these lifeforms at the hands of Yawgmoth.[9]
New Phyrexia makes use of new types of birds, this time true Phyrexians. Most of them are White (Tine Shrike, Shriek Raptor). Some like Tainted Observer barely resemble birds at all, looking like three tailed snakes with human heads.
Phoenix
Phoenixes are half-bird/half-elemental avians (though mechanically they are neither). They are capable of turning their body into fire and flame, and rising from their ashes, resurrecting themselves. They are seen on Dominaria in various fire-aligned regions (Shiv, Bogardan), Ravnica, Jund, and used to exist even on Rath. Some phoenixes are called firebirds.
Plovers
The kithkin of Lorwyn train and ride large birds called plovers.[10][11]
Primoc
Primocs are hybrids between birds and monkey-like beasts which were created by the Riptide Project. They have a natural inclination to serve wizards as familiars.
Ravens
The Order of Midnight on Eldraine fly upon giant ravens.[12]
Ravens are also a manifestation of the mysterious Raven Man.
Roc
Rocs are humongous birds seen on Rabiah, Terisiare, Jamuraa, Ravnica and Tarkir. On Ravnica, they are used as flying mounts for the Boros Legion.
Rukh
Rukhs, also called "stonefeathers", are similar to phoenixes, except their base element is stone, not fire. They look like great vulture-like birds with leathery, dragon-like wings. They are native to Rabiah.
Vultures
Vultures are a type of bird with dark feathers, long necks, and featherless heads. They feed on carrion and, unlike other birds, are chiefly aligned with Black mana.
Creature Update
Creature types changed into Bird
Creature types changed into Bird include:
- Aesthir (Wild Aesthir)
- Albatross (Giant Albatross)
- Chicken / Rooster (Zodiac Rooster)[13]
- Egg (Rukh Egg) (later reversed)
- Erne (Silver Erne)
- Falcon (Windreaper Falcon)
- Mana-Bird (Birds of Paradise)
- Pigeon (Carrier Pigeons)
- Roc (Crimson Roc)
- Vulture (Osai Vultures)
- Whippoorwill (Whippoorwill)
Other bird species included in the Bird type
Some examples of other bird species included in the Bird type:
- Archaeopteryxes[14]
- Aven
- Buzzards
- Condors
- Cormorants
- Cranes
- Crebain
- Crows
- Darbas
- Eagles
- Geese
- Gulls
- Gyrfalcons
- Harriers
- Hawks
- Herons[15]
- Hoopoes
- Hornclaws
- Jays
- Kenku
- Kestrels
- Kingfishers
- Kites
- Loons
- Magpies
- Moas
- Ospreys
- Owls
- Peafowl
- Parakeets
- Parrots
- Primocs
- Ravens
- Roadrunners
- Runewings
- Shrikes
- Sparrows
- Swans
- Terns
- Thrushes
- Turkeys
- Vrocks
- Woodpeckers
Notable birds
- Bird
- Unknown
Tokens
Tokens marked with are created by Acorn cards.
Token Name | Color | Type Line | P/T | Text Box | Source | Printings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bird | White | Creature — Bird | 1/1 | Flying |
|
|
White | Creature — Bird | 3/3 | Flying | |||
White | Creature — Bird | 3/3 | Flying Whenever this creature attacks, target attacking creature gains flying until end of turn. |
|||
White | Creature — Bird | 3/4 | Flying | |||
Blue | Creature — Bird | 1/1 | Flying | |||
Blue | Creature — Bird | 1/1 | Flying This creature can block only creatures with flying. |
|||
Blue | Creature — Bird | 2/2 | Flying | |||
Blue | Enchantment Creature — Bird | 2/2 | Flying | |||
Black | Creature — Bird | 1/1 | Flying This creature can't block. |
|||
Red | Creature — Bird | 4/4 | Flying | |||
White/Blue | Creature — Bird | 1/1 | Flying | |||
Bird Illusion | Blue | Creature — Bird Illusion | 1/1 | Flying | ||
Bird Soldier | White | Creature — Bird Soldier | 1/1 | Flying | ||
Cat Bird | White | Creature — Cat Bird | 1/1 | Flying | ||
Elemental Bird | Blue | Creature — Elemental Bird | 4/4 | Flying | ||
Giant Bird | Red | Creature — Giant Bird | 4/4 | |||
Aven Initiate | White | Creature — Zombie Bird Warrior | 3/2 | Flying | ||
Aven Wind Guide | White | Creature — Zombie Bird Warrior | 2/3 | Flying, vigilance Creature tokens you control have flying and vigilance. |
||
Oketra's Attendant | White | Creature — Zombie Bird Soldier | 3/3 | Flying | ||
Storm Crow | Blue | Creature — Bird | 1/2 | Flying |
Lords
- Aven Brigadier (also Soldiers)
- Kangee, Aerie Keeper - first Lord to grant something based on the number of counters (feather) on it
- Soraya the Falconer - first Lord to grant banding. Originally was a Falcon Lord but became a Bird Lord after the grand creature-type update.
Trivia
- Azorius Keyrune is a manstone that can become a 2/2 white and blue Bird artifact creature with flying.
- Bird Maidens are an all-female tribe of winged humans.
- Glint Hawk Idol can become a 2/2 Bird artifact creature with flying.
- Scale Birds are a technique artists use to make a central figure look bigger.[17]
- An Aven planeswalker was seen during the War of the Spark.[18]
- Animal Sanctuary is a land that can put +1/+1 counters on birds.
- The Priority Avenger test card introduced Aven as its own creature type.[19] Gatherer shows an image of Priority Avenger with the Bird creature type but the Oracle text still says Aven as it was intended.[20] In actuality, there seem to be no editions printed with the Aven-type. "Aven" being part of the name doesn't make things clearer.
- In an alternate reality, Kamigawa was home to a race of red-aligned mountain-dwelling humanoid birds called tengu.[21]
Gallery
-
Aven. Art by Tony DiTerlizzi and Randy Gallegos.
-
Mutant aven. Art by Luca Zontini and Ron Spencer.
-
Aesthir. Art by Michael Sutfin.
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Mesa Falcon. Art by Mark Poole.
-
Parea. Art by Arnie Swekel.
-
Darba. Art by Heather Hudson.
-
Percher. Art by Edward P. Beard, Jr.
-
Phoenix. Art by David O'Connor.
-
Primoc. Art by Tony Szczudlo.
-
Roc. Art by Andi Rusu.
-
Rukh hatchling. Art by Mark Zug.
-
Pilfering Hawk by Dan Scott.
References
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (2006), "Keeping the Cold", Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ Roy Graham (September 1, 2022). "The Legends You'll Find in Dominaria United". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Sage Owl
- ↑ Senate Courier
- ↑ Sky Theater Strix
- ↑ Doug Beyer & Jenna Helland (2008). A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786951246
- ↑ Tidehollow Strix
- ↑ Parasitic Strix
- ↑ The Thran
- ↑ Plover Knights
- ↑ The Book of Kith and Kin (archived)
- ↑ Chris Mooney (October 31, 2019). "I am SO excited to finally be able to share this with you all!". Reddit.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 29, 2020). "How come the Flavor Judge isn't creature type chicken?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Ovidio Cartagena (November 4, 2023). "It is a very ancient bird". Twitter.
- ↑ Monty Ashley (November 17, 2011). "The Heron in the Moon". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (May 25, 2006). "Dissension Token Art". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Monty Ashley (August 10, 2011). "Scale Birds". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Greg Weisman (May 22, 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica – Rallying the Reluctant". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Eli Shiffrin (November 11, 2019). "Mystery Booster Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Priority Avenger on Gatherer
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 1, 2007). "Ask Wizards - March 2007". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.