Feathered Cognivores

Eaters of thought and woe

Written by Etoilebane

I'm not even going to sugar-coat this one; these little guys scare the willies out of me.

— Archivist Ghirran

Only distinguished from common birds by the slight traces of meta coming from them, Feathered Cognivores are separated from the average wren by their ability to consume and digest the thoughts and memories of sentient creatures.

Thought to be just a nuisance created by the unusual features of the planet, scientists and researchers have found another use for the peculiar birds. By encouraging patients to push traumatic memories to the surface using suggestion and hypnosis, researchers have found that the bird's thought consuming qualities can be used to allieviate these thoughts in subjects.

Who would've thought that these terrifying little birds would be useful in therapy?

— Archist Ghirran

Studies are being conducted to examine the long term effects of the bird's cognivorous properties, and current data indicates a positive response.

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Scientific Name

Cantorchilus Tumultuous

Origin/Ancestry

Birds imported to Artian-01-04

Lifespan

Unknown, currently undergoing observation

Conservation Status

Least Concern, with populations monitored for excessive members.

Average Height

10 - 14 cm

Average Weight

9 - 13g

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Most examples of the species have mottled brown, grey or blackish feathers. Several individuals have light-grey plumage.
Beak coloration is frequently dark brown, grey or black, with in-between colors being less common.

Anatomy

Compared to individuals of their parent species, the mutated birds has a thinner, almost gaunt appearance. During dissection, an offshoot of the subject's Hypoglossal nerve was discovered to connect more heavily to the larynx of the bird. Analysis indicates that this addition of nerve tissue helps facilitate the bird's cognivorous ability.

Reproduction

I saw a pair of them tending some eggs in a hollowed out skull. I have questions, but I'm not really sure if I and/or my heart can take the answers.

— Archist Ghirran

In line with the average House Wren, Feathered Cognivores are cavity nesters; instead choosing the abundant carrion of Tumult in lieu of building a nest or seeking a man-made one.

Diet

Due to their unusual anatomy, while their bodies are adapted for some nuts, seeds, and insects like typical birds; Feathered Cognivores land on or near the cranium of a potential target and begin to extract and consume surface thoughts and memories through an as of yet unknown means.

"Saying they eat memories is a bit of a misnomer. It would be more appropriate to say they eat pieces of memories. Bits of thoughts. A number or two; the color of your father's lucky shirt. Small things. One bird, and you'll maybe forget a class or two after an hour. A flock of 'em, and you'll forget something bigger. Your favourite uncle. Why you even came to Tumult. Scary things, them.

— Barnok, Syndicate Excavator

Distribution

Scattered over Tumult, with a large population centered around Progress' Reach.

Sensory Abilities

Average for a wren; in addition, their peculiar taste for thoughts has given them a mnemonosensor capability, as evidenced by their avoidance of victims of amnesia or mindcracking.