Birdwatching (sage ability)

Birdwatching is an amateur-status sage ability in the studies of Birds and Forester, describing the practice of seeking for and observing birds, gaining skill in their identification. The skill includes an auditory element, as many bird species are more easily detected or identified by ear than by eye. This can even apply to humanoid avian species in determining ethnic background, as a experienced birder will recognize if the speaker originates from highland country, the coastal strip or whether they may be from one kingdom as opposed to another. The skill provides identification of nests and eggs.

In addition to their identification, the character will also be aware - where monstrous forms of birds occur - the principle threat the avian imposes. Specifically, knowledge of threat includes the number of attacks the avian possesses per round, what parts of the body are used in attack, the armour class of the avian and its approximate weight and hit dice.

This knowledge does not include any special attacks or defences the avian possesses, except where the creature is known for a given power, such as the [phoenix].