Garuda

Garuda, a bird in Hindu mythology, is associated with Lord Vishnu. He is depicted as a large, brilliantly colored bird that is often mistaken for the god of fire. Although not originally created as a god, he is often worshipped as one. In Japanese mythology, Garuda is known as Karura.

Some depictions of Karura show a creature that is part human and part bird, with multiple arms, wings, and feathers. Interestingly, the Hindu and Japanese images of Garuda and Karura are very similar. In Japan, Karura is often depicted holding or playing the flute. Garuda typically has the body, arms, and legs of a man, and the wings, head, and talons of an eagle, adorned with golden feathers. Both versions of Garuda represent the king of all birds and possess the ability to fly faster than the wind. They also share a mortal enemy in the form of the naga, evil serpent-like creatures that threaten the natural balance of the world. Garuda is responsible for granting the naga immortality. When the naga abducted his mother, Garuda secured her release by trading ambrosia with them, thus creating an immortal enemy.

Strige

The Strige, also known as Strix, originated in Greek mythology and later became part of Roman mythology and European religious mythology during the Middle Ages. Initially, they were featured in a tale about two brothers who were transformed into wild animals as punishment for cannibalism. One of the brothers became a Strix, doomed to live upside down without sustenance, emitting mournful cries that could be heard at night.

The exact nature of a Strix or Strige is a topic of debate. In Latin, "Strix" can mean a screech-owl. In some regions, the Strix is associated with vampires or witches. According to certain accounts, the creature is a bird of prey by day and a witch by night. It is believed that witches strangle children and drink their blood, but like vampires, a garlic amulet can ward off the Strix.

In Pliny's Natural History, Striges are described as real creatures, although Pliny himself admits to limited knowledge about them. During the Middle Ages, they transitioned from classical mythology to Christian mythology, where they were believed to be minions of the devil.

Hoopoe

The hoopoe is a bird with a peculiar name that is both a real creature and the subject of conflicting mythologies. In Arab mythology, the hoopoe is seen as a wise bird with the ability to heal and divine water. It is also believed to have saved King Solomon when he was stranded in the desert by gathering a flock to provide shade with their wings. In the bestiaries of Pliny the Elder and Isidore of Seville, the hoopoe is described as one of the few creatures whose young care for their elders as they age. However, there are also less flattering stories about the bird. Isidore claims it is always found near graveyards. According to a legend from Eastern European mythology, when God created the hoopoe, he offered it all the traditional foods that birds enjoy. The hoopoe refused to eat any of them, leading God to punish the bird by decreeing that it would only eat the excrement of other animals for eternity.

Boobrie 

The boobrie, a legendary bird from Scottish folklore and mythology, possesses the ability to shape-shift. Instead of using its wings for flight, it primarily employs them for swimming in lakes and wells during its hunting expeditions. Known for its mimicry skills, the boobrie often imitates the distress calls of injured baby animals, luring and drowning unsuspecting adult animals that approach to investigate. While it prefers preying on cattle and sheep, it will also consume otters if necessary. Additionally, the boobrie can transform into a horse and walk on water, as well as morph into an insect to feed on the blood of horses. There are accounts of hunters who claim to have encountered a water-horse, another mythical creature in Scottish folklore. However, upon closer examination of the tracks left behind, they discover the distinct antler-shaped imprints that are unique to the boobrie. Eyewitnesses describe the boobrie as having a long white neck, a wide wingspan, a lengthy beak, short legs, massive partially-webbed feet, and a cry resembling that of a bull.

Anzu

Anzu, an ancient Sumerian creature, had the body of an eagle and the head of a lion. It was so enormous that its nest could only be supported by the tree that spanned the seven heads of the river belonging to the sun god, Utu. Anzu's flight would create massive sand and dust storms, its scream would shake the entire world, and even the gods considered it an almost unbeatable threat. According to the legend, this colossal bird stole the Tablet of Destinies, granting it the powers of the gods and control over the mortal realm. Enlil, the son of the god whose tablet was stolen, was sent to the primordial world to stop Anzu and restore power to the gods, resulting in the unleashing of floods, winds, and storms that shaped the world. Much later, the Assyrian kings were credited with slaying the giant bird, leading to the creation of epic tales about the mortal rulers in that region. The original stories about Anzu are among the oldest known "combat myths," where a hero is tasked with confronting a formidable enemy. The epic of Anzu and Enlil is believed to date back to around 1200 BC. Anzu also appears in later folklore in Israel, where sacrifices are made to appease it.

Benu

The Benu Bird, an Egyptian version of the phoenix, played a significant role in Egyptian creation mythology. According to the myth, the Benu bird flew above the chaotic surface, landed, and emitted a piercing scream that shattered the original silence. This cry determined what would exist in the world and what would not. The Benu bird, resembling a heron but adorned with fiery feathers and occasionally a human head, was closely linked to the Egyptian sun god. In fact, the image of the Benu bird became synonymous with the sun god himself, often depicted wearing a crown.

The Benu bird possessed the ability to renew itself daily, rising with the sun and rejuvenating in its rays. This characteristic also associated it with Osiris, the god of the dead, and the concept of resurrection. The original Benu bird, responsible for creating the world, emerged from flames atop a Persea tree situated on the pinnacle of an obelisk. Later accounts of the Benu bird share similarities with the phoenix, as described by Herodotus. According to his tale, the Benu bird lived for 500 years before immolating itself and being reborn from its ashes. These ashes were then placed on an altar dedicated to the sun god.

Liderc

The liderc, a creature from Hungarian mythology, resembles a featherless chicken. There are various types of liderc, including the mit-make. Associated with witches, they are said to appear in homes or hatch from eggs incubated beneath their arms. The liderc serves as the witch's familiar, completing tasks tirelessly but ultimately killing her if not kept busy. To prevent this, one must give the liderc an impossible task, such as carrying water in a leaky bucket. Another type of liderc, inspired by the incubus and succubus, appears human but with a goose leg. They prey on those mourning a lost spouse, causing them to waste away with relentless affections. To banish a liderc and prevent its return, steal the shoe or foot it wears on its human foot.