Copperhawks

The Easterners call them dragons, but many Native People call them Copperbirds or Copperhawks. They look more like birds than lizards. They may or may not have forelimbs and greatly vary in size. The capillaries in the membranes of their webbed wings and tail resemble the shape of feathers. They are attracted to metals, including iron, which makes them a (sometimes dangerous) nuisance to settlers and explorers. The smaller Copperbirds are often tolerated or domesticated because they eat bugs, mice and other pests.

The larger variety of Copperhawks live mostly in mountains and canyons with exposed minerals, but occasionally need to hunt for food on the plains. This gives Native hunters an excellent opportunity to fell one with an arrow or spear. Against Copperhawks, meteorite-tipped arrows are most effective. The morning after meteor showers, the women will search for and gather the rocks. The Native People purposefully avoid using iron or copper while hunting so as to help avoid detection.