Stymphalian Birds

The Stymphalian Birds (Στυμφαλίδες ὄρνιθες) were man-eating birds from Greek mythology, sacred to Ares, the god of war. The birds were told of in the legend "The Twelve Labours of Hercales". The sixth labour of Hercales was to slay these terrifying birds, as they were destroying the countryside, crops, and townspeople.

Other names
Before moving to Lake Stymphalia, these birds didn't have a specific name.

Description
The Stymphalian Birds were desribed as having sharp beaks made out of bronze and knife-like metallic feathers. They were crane-sized but are said to have resembled ibises with straight beaks.

Behaviour
These birds were vicious and deadly. They could shoot their metallic feathers at foes as an attacking method. The feathers were sharp enough to pierce bronze and iron armor, The birds may also have dive-bombed victims with their sharp beaks. The bird may even have used their own dung as a weapon, as it was highly toxic.

Diet
These birds ate human flesh, but may have eaten other meat as well.

Reproduction
After being chased from their original home, the birds repopulated- maybe overpopulated- very quickly.

Distribution/habitat
The birds originally lived in Arabia, until a pack of wolves was set upon them by the Arabs and they were forced to flee. They moved to Lake Stymphalia in Arcadia, and so were known forever as the Stymphalian Birds.