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SKIES OF NEOPIA - In my last two articles I have been telling you about bird type Neopets
and Petpets and what to expect when watching that particular species. This article
is rather different. This time I will be giving information and guides on the
dangerous birds of Neopia. This is what you would call extreme bird watching
and you need to be really brave to attempt this.
Skree
Where to find them - Skree inhabit Tyrannia. They nest in caves and only come
out when looking for food.
Call - A Skree is silent most of the time. This is to ensure stealth when catching
prey. Sometimes, however, they make a loud screech. This is to make contact
with other Skree that might be close by.
Food - A Skree only eats meat. They prefer their prey, which can consist of
other Petpets to Petpetpets and even Neopets, to be live but will occasionally
eat meat that they find on the ground.
Activity - During the day Skree will stay in their caves often eating their
prey. They come out at night time circling in the air looking for unaware Neopets
and Petpets to catch. They have even been known to catch humans but this has
only ever been recorded twice.
Bird watching method - Your life is in your hands when watching a Skree. They
are very volatile birds and can be sleeping one minute, thrashing around the
next. If they hear just one sound, be it the crackle of stones beneath a foot
or an unwelcome sneeze or cough, they will often think it is prey. In order
to stay in one piece the following methods are advised:
1. Don't wear loose clothing or anything that will make a sound, even if only
slightly. Just the rustle of a coat can set them off. 2. Do not bring a flashlight
or any other kind of device that will attract unwanted attention. 3. Make sure
not to have any meat products on you at all. The Skree will smell these and
as well as eating the meat products will probably eat you as well. 4. Always
be silent and try not to make any sudden movements. The Skree has outstanding
eyesight and just one sudden move can prove fatal.
It is better to watch Skree from outside. Here you are not invading their habitat
and can watch them safely.
Whoot
Where to find them - Whoots live all over Neopia, often perching on trees.
They are sometimes found waiting to ambush any passers by in dark caves and
tunnels.
Call - They are silent as they are birds of stealth and secrecy.
Food - Anything that can be stolen from other things. They will take nuts,
sweets, cookies, even spicy food such as Jalapeno Poppers and Spicy Wings.
Activity - You're probably wondering why the Whoot is classed as the extreme
bird watching type. The answer is this: They are extremely stealthy creatures
and always have a tendency to know when the Pant Devil is nearby. A Whoot will
sometimes accompany the Pant Devil in stealing items so if you find yourself
in the company of one of these mischievous birds, you'll probably find a few
items missing too.
Bird watching method - It is better to watch Whoot from far away. Make sure
that you are as quiet and as still as possible when watching them as they can
sense sound and movement. If possible hide yourself behind a tree or something
else that you know will block you from the Whoots view. You don't want to end
up with your pockets emptied.
Crokabek
Where to find them - You will only find these mighty birds in Meridell. They
perch themselves on the battlements of Castle Meridell.
Call - They make a loud growl when they sense danger (which is very rare) and
they omit a deafening screech which is the sound they make when they are ready
to battle or attack an intruder.
Food - Crokabeks can go weeks with no food, but when they are in dire need
to feed they will swoop down at the dead of night and catch anything that moves.
Their main source of food is Petpets. However, when winters are harsh and other
Petpets are hibernating, the Crokabek will eat anything that is edible.
Activity - Crokabeks usually guard Castle Meridell and so remain still like
statues so as not to attract unwanted attention or scare an intruder. They do
this so that the intruder can get caught and punished so as not to commit more
atrocities. However, at night time they will often swoop down to catch prey.
They also like to battle with other Crokabek but this is rare as they have to
remain still most of the time. They are highly fierce creatures and are prone
to attacking humans if they feel threatened or if they feel you are intruding
in their area.
Bird watching method - There are two ways to enjoy watching a Crokabek. The
dangerous way and the safe way. Firstly I shall be telling you about the safe
way.
Safe way - For this method you will have to visit Meridell during the day.
You will be able to see the Crokabek doing their jobs if you look up at the
battlements on Castle Meridell. They will not attack you unless they feel that
you are a threat to them. To make sure that you are not a threat a number of
precautions should be taken.
1. Don't make a lot of noise. This startles them. 2. Where dark or dull coloured
clothing. Wearing bright colours will distract them and make them erratic. 3.
Stay away from the front entrance of Castle Meridell. They are very protective
of their territory.
Dangerous way - Yes, this is the dangerous way but it's also the fun way. You
will have to be a dare-devil though if you want to watch Crokabeks in this way.
For the dangerous way you will have to visit Meridell at night time. You will
be able to see the Crokabek swooping down and catching prey and you may also
find them fighting. Listen out for their calls. A Crokabek will omit a deafening
screech when battling. There is one thing you must remember when watching Crokabek
at night and that is to not let yourself be seen. These birds have acute eyesight
and will be able to spot prey (yes, that means you) even if it remains still.
If possible stand behind a tree or any other object that you know will block
you from the Crokabeks eyesight.
Pirakeet
Where to find them - These little blighters live only on Krawk Island. They
like to bathe in rock pools and can also be found inhabiting small caves along
Krawk Island beach.
Call - This is possibly what makes them so dangerous. They omit a terrible
screech and they have been known to cause temporary deafness to anyone who is
within a 30 metre radius. The victim will also be knocked unconscious by the
force of the sound waves they create and can remain unconscious for as long
as a day.
Food - Pirakeets will eat anything as long as it is edible. They aren't fussy
with food and have often been found scavenging for pieces of left over food
that people and Neopets have dropped.
Activity - When it is hot Pirakeets will venture out of their caves and soak
up the rays whilst bathing in the many rock pools that line Krawk Island. When
it is cold or overcast Pirakeet will usually stay in their caves and only come
out when they are in need of food.
Bird watching method - Again, like the Crokabek, there is a dangerous way to
watch Pirakeets and there is a safe way. As usual, the dangerous way could also
be called the exciting way…or the daft way.
Safe way - Pirakeets are quite tame birds and will let you watch them when
they bathe in the rock pools. Take food down with you when you watch them and
carefully place the food by the edge of the rock pool so that the Pirakeet can
take it at its own accord. The best food to give them are any vegetable products
(especially Corn Balls) sweet things such as chocolate and candy and any scraps
of dinner that you may have been unable to finish. However, the Pirakeet likes
privacy when eating so make sure to stand at least 20 feet from it when it eats.
Dangerous way - Venturing into the cave of a Pirakeet is very dangerous indeed,
not because they have sharp claws but because of their call. First of all, you'll
probably want to know where to find a Pirakeet. Because there are lots of caves
lining the beach of Krawk Island, any one of them may be home to this loud bird.
Listen closely, and you might need patience for this, and you'll eventually
be able to hear the unmistakeable call it makes. Once you have found out where
it is living it is time to stuff your ears full of the thickest cotton wool
you can get and stick a pair of furry ear muffs over them. The Pirakeets call
will still be loud but you will only be deaf for a couple of minutes instead
of a couple of days. When inside the cave the Pirakeet will usually be found
perched on a ledge of rock emitting its loud call. It might be a good idea to
wrap your arms around your head at this stage whilst you look up at the Pirakeet.
Yes, this is the dangerous way, but it is also known to many as the downright
daft way too.
And that's extreme bird watching for you! Yes, some of it can be extremely
dangerous and some of it silly, but that's the fun about it! Now that you've
read my third and final chapter of my guide to bird watching, it's time to go
out there and try bird watching for yourself… if you haven't already done so
that is. Anyway, enjoy!
The End | 
