The eight-eyed teratorn is a cryptid bird. It is characterised by its eight eyes, four on either side of its head, and its 11.5-metre-wingspan. If it has not gone extinct, this would make it the largest flying bird.
Based on fossils, it was believed the eight-eyed teratorn went extinct 3,500 years ago until a live one was sighted in '21.[1][2]
'21 Sighting[]
In '21, Dr. Uwe Plattenkalk reported the first sighting of the living eight-eyed teratorn. Dr. Plattenkalk was a Gottwaldian explorer and naturalist on a botanical expedition. The expedition was exploring the Uamrao canyon system in the Erg desert of Iilmaraa when he was separated from the rest of the group.[3] After wandering without food and water for several days, he caught up to a bird he had been hunting across the desert. He reported that it prevented him from attacking it by controlling his mind to freeze him in place whenever he got close enough to harm it.[4]
In Culture[]
The eight-eyed teratorn resembles the Perikarnassian Imperial Eagle, a heraldic symbol.[5]
The Eight-Eyed Teratorn Tie features a model of its skull.
References[]
- ↑
LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE – "The eight-eyed teratorn, the largest flying avian ever discovered -- with a wingspan of 11.5 metres. It was thought to have gone extinct 3,500 years ago, some even doubted the *fossils* were real. A mutation, they said. Until..."
YOU – "Until?"
LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE – "Until it was *sighted* by renowned Gottwaldian explorer and naturalist Uwe Plattenkalk in '21."
- ↑
LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE – "He could see it had *eight eyes* -- four on either side of its skull, like a spider..."
- ↑
LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE – "It happened on a botanical expedition into the vast and unexplored Uamrao canyon in southeast Iilmaraa. Dr. Plattenkalk got separated from his group during a sandstorm..."
- ↑
LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE – "...For many days, Dr. Plattenkalk followed the teratorn, until they reached a great canyon wall, where the bird finally landed to rest."...
LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE – "The bird was controlling his mind. It *kept* him from approaching. He could step back, but every time he stepped forward -- paralysis. Uwe spent three days trying, until the bird flew away."
- ↑
LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE – "And then there's the striking resemblance to the Perikarnassian Imperial Eagle -- an ancient heraldic symbol -- that is hard to pass off as coincidence. The imperial eagle, too, had eight eyes."