Birds in Interactive Fiction

According to Cain (2022)

> x crow (@ A tree)

The crow stares down upon you with passive, observant eyes.

Ailihphilia (2018)

> x scorn rocs (@ Flu Gulf)

While they're motionless, their stare drives you back--and you know something simple like closing your eyes won't fool them. They're fiercely proud and shiny, white and clean.

Alias 'The Magpie' (2018)

> x doves (@ Dining Room)

A pair of doves, or love-birds, inexpensively made in white alabaster. There is damage to the wing of one and a chip in the beak of the other.

And the Waves Choke the Wind (2000)

> x seagull (@ Lifeboat)

The bird has already vanished into the mist.

And yet it moves (2014)

> x geese (@ Kitchen)

some rather fat, juicy looking geese. you were told that, not 10 minutes previously, they had been given to the household, unexpectedly, as a present.

Another Goddamn Escape the Locked Room Game (2006)

> x pigeon (@ South Wall)

The small gray pigeon looks up from its corn chip crumbs. "Coo?"
The small gray pigeon [if has coupon] (which has a coupon taped to its leg) [end if] stares back at you dumbly. "Coo?"
It's a pigeon, which is dead. Whether it died of starvation or exhaustion is anyone's guess.

The Apprentice (2006)

> x raven (@ At the Big Lake)

It`s a shiny black raven.
It is large and beautiful, reminding you of something ancient.

Arborea (2022)

> x raven (@ Mist-shrouded Island)

Black and greasy, it seems to watch you with only one eye, and however much you chase around the ash tree, it's always the same eye.

> x vultures (@ The Vast Plains of the Serengeti)

They look like characters out of a novel by Dickens.

The Ascent of the Gothic Tower (2014)

> x birds (@ Bridge)

You believe they're swallows, although they fly too fast for you to get a good look. They're just sharp-looking swooshing shapes, darting over the surface of the river and then back up to their nests.

ASCII and the Argonauts (2003)

> x dove (@ TEMPLE OF ZEUS)

SUCH A PRETTY BIRD

At the Top of Your Game (2004)

> x bird (@ Top of the Plateau)

You can’t actually see any birds, presumably they are below the clouds.

Ballymun Adventure (2006)

> x eagle (@ Room 13)

A fine handcrafted picture of a magnificent eagle.

The Bean Stalker (2018)

> x goose (@ Golf Course)

Lounging about on the lush, well-manicured lawn, the geese go about their business (in every sense), ignoring you.
From their position of safety on the cloud bank to the east, the geese go about their business (in every sense), ignoring you.

Being the Ending of the Beginning (2011)

> x vultures (@ Roof)

A dozen or so vey large birds make lazy loops in the sky.

Berrost's Challenge (2008)

> x crow (@ South Street)

You've never liked crows and this pesky specimen has been annoying you for the past couple of days.
Its a dead crow, partially painted red, with a rather large hole in its side. [if poured potion on it] The syrupy red liquid of the potion has made it a slimey mess. [end if] You don't want to touch it any more than you have to.

Birmingham IV (2018)

> x bird charm (@ Attic)

A charm, or amulet, of black metal, in the shape of a rook with outstretched wings, about four inches across. It is clearly magical. At the tip of each of the wings is a small ring. The rings are attached to each end of a short length of fine chain.

Blue Sky (2004)

> x pigeons (@ Plaza Northwest)

The pigeons walk around begging for food.

The Bony King of Nowhere (2017)

> x pigeon (@ City Plaza)

A skinny grey city pigeon with a grumpy demeanour

The Bryant Collection (2009)

> x bird (@ Beside the Tree)

This bird has beautiful brown plumage. It perches on a low branch of the tree and occasionally sings.

Bullhockey! (2018)

> x hawk (@ Back of Trailer)

Though the bird has vanished, you just recall that it may have carried--and dropped--your yellow shirt nearby.

The Chinese Room (2007)

> x birds (@ Beach)

You walk towards the little birds, curious.

[The PC moves to Sand Dune.]

> x raven (@ Spooky Part of the Woods)

It's a raven, but it's not black.

A Christmas Game (2016)

> x pigeon (@ Chester Street)

A grey city pigeon with a grumpy demeanour

Citizen of Nowhere (2019)

> x pigeon (@ City Plaza)

A grey city pigeon with a grumpy demeanour. He is wearing a postman's uniform

The Colour Pink (2005)

> x bird (@ The shop entrance, at the base of a hill)

A label at the base of the statue says "Man on Bird", which is an accurate description of what you are seeing. The man is armed with a lance [if has shield] and a shield [end if], and he looks ready for battle on the giant bird. You wonder whom he was battling. That is, of course, if this is a historically motivated rather than an artistically motivated sculpture. It is difficult to tell when you have not been in this land for long. On close inspection you notice a ladder built into the side of the bird.

> x birds (@ The bridge, over the river)

A few small birds fly overhead.

Cragne Manor (2018)

> x crow figurine (@ Court (Ryan Veeder))

The form of a crow is unmistakable, but far from photorealistic; it's easy to make out stray chisel marks and brush strokes. The figurine is mounted on a circular base.

The peregrine falcon figurine has a near-identical description.

> x birds painting (@ Gallery)

This painting is unusually realistic. You can see that looking at it one time won't reveal its full meaning.
Paintings of birds often focus on flight to evoke feelings of freedom, hope, and escape. This one feels like gravity extending its hold with physical hands. A label in the center of the stained green wooden frame reads
The Sparrow's Nest
-or-
The Triumph of Nature
The cowbird chick sits heavy and obvious on its adopted siblings. They must only be a few days old given their lack of feathers, but the cowbird is easily five times as large as the three other struggling chicks. The smaller chicks' closed eyes are black orbs encased in thin skin. Their eyes will never open to the light. Their mouths open in different directions, with wide, pink gapes frozen in permanent, begging hunger.
The oversized cowbird is using one foot to steady itself on the edge of the grass nest, distorting the dry grass with its weight. A cracked eggshell is visible next to the cowbird chick, and the remains of a dried sparrow embryo and its yolk have dripped down the side of the nest and dried where the cowbird rests its claws.
The stare of this huge cowbird chick is crisp and blank. Unlike portraits whose eyes seemingly follow you around the room, the cowbird chick seems to stare some distance directly behind you. The heavy-edged flanges of its mouth and the wispy eyebrow feathers common to baby birds give it an air of seriousness, like that of an old general.

Excelsior (2014)

> x birds (@ The Tower; Balcony; Balcony)

You can't tell what kind of birds they are.
You still can't tell what kind of birds they are.
They look kind of like crows, but larger.

The Fifth Continent (2019)

> x pigeon (@ The Bird Reserve Entrance)

London is already famous for its pigeons, it'll be Kent next.

The First Snows of Winter (2013)

> x birds (@ Engine shed)

Far above you birds are sheltering from the cold weather, their wings rustling, and occasionally you glimpse a glint of lightreflected in their eyes.

FORK: The Great Underground Dining Room (2007)

> x condor's head (@ Treasure Room)

It's oversized and frighteningly ugly.

Friar Bacon's Secret (2000)

> x bird (@ Hidden Study)

It's not a good likeness. The body's little more than a tube of glass with bulbs at either end, the only things suggesting birdness a beak on its felt-covered head and a curling feather glued onto the opposite end. Plus, you've never seen a bird wearing a hat. The body seems to have red water in it - perhaps to stand in for blood?

Gnu in the Zoo (2016)

> x Miron (@ Aviary (North))

Through very careful olfactory analysis, you recognize the bird as Miron the Condor. He is well known for his raised metabolism − you know, lots of food in, lots of the other stuff out − and the smell in here confirms it.

> x Behlendorf (@ Aviary (Middle))

Behlendorf occupies the lower of the two perches and appears older than his companion. He is fast asleep.

> x Striker (@ Aviary (Middle))

Striker occupies the upper of the two perches. He cuts a slighter figure than his counterpart, and has a youthful restlessness about him.

> x Sparky (@ Aviary (South))

Sparky is a large bird with a magnificent red, yellow and orange plumage. She seems to be sleeping peacefully despite the flames lapping at her legs and petite claws.

Grayscale (2001)

> x eagle (@ Cliff Overlook)

The stone eagle looks as if it were frozen in the midst of takeoff. Its legs are bent back ready to leap out into the sky and wings are spread wide to catch the air. [if has topaz] Inset into its base is a topaz. [else] There is a shallow hole in its base, now empty.

Happy Ever After (2000)

> x magpie (@ Forest)

A ragged bird sits in her nest here, carefully picking at her feathers. She appears to be molting.

Hercules! (2021)

> x birds (@ Stymphalia)

Terrifying, pterodactyl-like birds of prey. These are unmistakably the famed Stymphalian birds. Their teeth you're sure will give you nightmares for years...
Gross... the blood-soaked, goo-covered bird carcasses are decomposing. You'd better stay clear of them.

Hidden Verbiage (2018)

> x crow (@ Bird's Perch)

This bird is as tall as you are. Its wingspan must be 16 feet at least. Despite having a beak, it is somehow constantly smirking.

Hollywood Hijinx (1986)

> examine penguin (@ In the Chimney)

It's a life-size stuffed penguin. It was probably used in the filming of "Vampire Penguins of the North."

Last Day of Summer (2011)

> x bird (@ Garden)

The bird's nest is up in the eaves of the garden house.

The Lonely Troll (2022)

> x phoenix (@ Desert)

A glorious orange and red bird sitting in a nest of fire. It's clucking like a chicken and crying.

There's also ASCII art of the phoenix.

Lydia's Heart (2007)

> x crow (@ Dreary Bedroom)

The crow is large and black, and has beady black eyes. He’s perched on the sill just outside the window, fluffing his wing feathers and pecking for lice.
The crow is large and black, and has beady black eyes. He’s perched on the sill, eyeing you with interest. His beady eyes flick back and forth as he takes in everything in the room.
The crow is large and black, and has beady black eyes. He’s hopping around on the floor, pecking at breadcrumbs.

> x bird (@ A Sumptuously Decorated Chamber)

The bird’s wings are outstretched, as if he’s proud of them, or perhaps trying to frighten a predator.

The Mage Wars: Statue (2003)

> x bird (@ Stone Terrace)

A grey and sooty courier bird with a powerful beak. It was the kind commonly used to traffic messages. [if hovering] It hovered steadily off the terrace, just out of reach. [else] It sat upon the terrace, eyes glazed over. [end if] [if holding parchment, add:] A manilla parchment dangled from its beak.

The Mouse Who Woke Up For Christmas (2018)

> x Peter Magpie (@ Top of the Tree)

A black and white magpie called Peter.

He is currently adjusting the arrangement of his shiny things.

> x Pigeon Jon (@ Middle of the Garden)

A filthy looking grey city pigeon with a grumpy demeanour.

Nothing But Mazes (2019)

> x hummingbird (@ By the Hummingbird)

The hummingbird’s wings are a blur as it hovers incessantly through the air.

> x penguin (@ By the Penguin)

This bird is short and stout, with the usual black and white feathers. As a creature adapted for swimming, it looks a bit out of its element standing here in this room.

> x quail (@ By the Quail)

This bird is only about a foot long, but seems full of nervous energy.

> x vulture (@ By the Vulture)

This vulture, the color of dust, is perched on the ground a few feet away, ominously eyeing your bot with a hungry look.

Out (2019)

> x bird (@ Your town)

You can't see it -- only hear its song.

Perdition's Flames (1993)

> x shape (@ Altar)

You can't make out any detail; it looks like some sort of large bird.

When close, it's a pterodactyl.

The Prize (2012)

> x bird (@ Valley Entrance)

He can't make out any details from so far away, but it appears the bird is red.

[if first time, add:] A tireless guardian.

Seasonal Apocalpyse Disorder (2020)

> x gull (@ Sunny Shore)

A drab-looking seagull. It's picking up shiny rocks and moving them around the shore. You notice a small yellow leather band around one ankle.

> x woodpecker (@ Dirt Road)

A large, loud woodpecker, currently looking down at the chicken on the road and laughing.

The Seven Doctors (1998)

> x vulture (@ Corridor)

It is a simple picture, but the eyes of the bird seem to be looking at you with a hunger that makes you shiver.

Ship of Whimsy (2011)

> x tengu (@ Crow's Nest)

A hunched figure with a crow's beak and feathers. It wears a faded brown cotton coat and flowing red pants, with wooden sandals on its clawed feet.

Tookie's Song (2002)

> x robin (@ Underground Forest Glen)

The robin is no bigger than the meaty part of your palm, and mostly brownish in color: a female, you think. She is hopping about madly, scratching her small claws on everything she can reach as she jumps and twists her small, birdlike body.

Whitefield Academy of Witchcraft (2014)

> x raven (@ Locker Room)

A dead raven, probably killed when it was sucked into one of the air vents from outside. Every bit of pigment has been bleached out of its feathers, rendering it as white as the driven snow.

The Wolf and the Seven Kids (2012)

> x birds (@ Forest)

Small bodies that hop from tree to tree.

Cameo appearance instances

Nothing But Mazes (2019): turkey @ By the Turkey.
Nothing But Mazes (2019): pelican @ By the Pelican.

Default response instances

Aunts and Butlers (2006): pigeon @ Gaol cell.
Awakening (2009): dove @ Study.
The Island (2013): Great Osprey @ Fire Trail.

Deflected examining instances

You are a Turkey! (2011): me @ Turkey Farm.

Synonyms of other things instances

Aunts and Butlers (2006): pheasant ≡ hat @ Police station.
Babel (1997): bird, hummingbirds ≡ cages @ Avian Gallery.
City of Dead Leaves (2016): pigeons ≡ narrow street @ Nameless Alley.
Cragne Manor (2018): bird ≡ painted panels @ Tiny Windowless Office.