Fester

(FEHS-ter)

The fester, aptly named for its love of all things dead and decaying, is a common sight around its native Shadowglen. There, tales of these large birds - often called the Gravewatchers by locals - date back to even the first stories of the graveyard itself. Once considered a bad omen, festers always seemed aware exactly of when something - or someone - had passed away, and were among the first to arrive at the scene. It was believed that to pass a discarded fester tail feather was to walk upon your own grave, and ancient Subetans regarded these magnificent birds with quite the fearful eye. Now, they are seen rather as nature's garbage disposals, and they are actually quite prized for their beautiful plumage and iron stomachs.

Festers are the largest bird species in Subeta, with females weighing 13-20 lbs (6-9 kg) and males weighing around 9-10 lbs (4-4.5 kg). Their wingspan is most impressive, measuring between 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 m) on average, though birds with a wingspan as large as 8 feet have been recorded. They have quite menacing-looking beaks, required for shredding off both bits of flesh as well as crushing bone. While both male and female festers have a bright patch of feathers under their eyes, the males tend to be much more bold and brilliant - a good tool for attracting a mate! Young festers prefer to live alone, creating a large territory that may stretch over many trees. Males and females will mate for life and share a territory to raise their young. The large female will lay 2-4 eggs in the late winter and they hatch come mid-spring. The babies are amusingly known as "whistlets" due to the high-pitched whistle noise they make to call their parents. Adult festers rarely make much noise, other than the occasional screech to ward off others that enter their territory.

Although keeping festers as pets is not unheard of, it is rather discouraged due to their size! They do require a lot of space and a diet made up of raw meat, and they are not for the faint at heart. Some dedicated Subetans have turned to using festers for falconry, and with proper training (especially when food is offered as the reward!) this can result in a close bond between handler and bird. If an owner is willing to treat a fester with dedication and above all else, respect, they will surely be rewarded with a lifelong, loyal companion.