Cockatrice

OVERVIEW:
The cockatrice is an eerie, repulsive hybrid lizard, cock, and bat. It is infamous for its ability to turn flesh to stone.

The cockatrice is about the size a large goose or turkey, an has the head and a cock, with two bat-like wings and the long tail of a lizard tipped  a few feathers. Its feathers are golden brown, its beak yellow, its tail green, and its wings gray. The cockatrice's wattles, comb, and eyes are bright red.

Females, which are rarer than males, differ only in that they have wattles or comb.

The cockatrice will fiercely attack anything, human or otherwise, which it deems a threat to itself or its lair. When attacking, the cockatrice will t to grapple with its foe, exposed flesh and turning it to stone. Flocks of cockatrices will do their utmost to overwhelm and confuse their opponents, and they will sometimes fly directly into their victims' face.

HABITAT:
The cockatrice is immune to the petrification powers of other of its kind. The diet of a cockatrice consists of insects, small lizards and the like. When it hunts these animals, the creature does not employ its power to petrify living things. It is distinguished from other avians by its unusual habits and nasty temperament. Since females are rare, they are the dominant sex, and will often have more than one mate. In fact, males will often fight or strut for the privilege of joining a female's harem. These mated groups usually build their nests in caves. Nest sites are permanent, and the cockatrice constantly seeks to decorate its nesting site by lining it with shining objects like coins and gems.

Females lay 1-2 brownish red, rust speckled eggs per month. There is only a 25% chance that any given egg will hatch. Those that are fertile will hatch in 11-19 days. The young reach maturity and full power within 6 months. Once they achieve adulthood, the hatchlings are driven away from the nesting site by their parents. Larger groups of cockatrices encountered will frequently be young driven from the nest who have temporarily united for survival.

ECOLOGY:
The cockatrice thrives in the wilderness. Its petrification power makes it immune to most predators, and enables it to compete with other birds for food. The feathers of the cockatrice are prized, as well as unhatched eggs, and even the live birds.

Referenced by the book of (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, 2nd Edition, Monstrous Manual)