Reviews
Overview of current knowledge on the subject of Falco ignitus
Warren, Z*
*SJIS [email protected]
From Myth to Reality
Once thought to be a merely mythical construct, Falco ignitus (commonly known as the Phoenix) was recently rediscovered living in isolated pockets on the Odahingum archipelago in the northern Pacific (Benu, 2010). Fossil evidence, found in both field sites and archived specimens, have revealed that the Phoenix was once a widespread species, spanning much of the globe (Fenghuang, 2012). The fossils often displayed signs of being hunted and butchered (for example; tool marks on the bones, even a whole arrow head was found in one specimen) for the meat, likely thought to contain magical or medicinal properties, and of course the feathers, which were likely highly prized by societies the world over (Fenghuang, 2012).
Island dwelling F. ignitus were extremely rare, as it required a large range and preferred dense forests away from the sea (Anka, 2011). However, the unique and highly productive conditions found on the Odahingum archipelago seem to have allowed F. ignitus to survive and even thrive on some of the islands (Anka, 2011). Combined with the islanders’ unusual disinterest in the bird, this has proved a safe haven for it to live on, even today (Benu, 2010).
Food and Flames
The myths and legends of the Phoenix being reborn in flames seem to have a modicum of truth to them. F. ignitus has a distinctive exothermic reaction within its specially adapted feathers that produces a brightly coloured flame (Garuda, 2011). This is used as a defensive mechanism, an offensive mechanism and a method of preparing its food before ingestion (Garuda, 2011). It has been observed that F. ignitus prefers to roast its prey before consumption, but does have an array of other methods available (the most commonly used include: broiling, smoking, blanching, simmering, stir frying, sautéing and flashbaking) that it uses as prey type and circumstances dictate (Garuda, 2011).
Normally F. ignitus has a strong reddish-orange flame and only imperceptibly minor changes were seen when it was fed prey found in its normal diet of small birds, mammals, lizards, mushrooms, red peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, American-style pizza and onion bhajis (Me Byi Karmo, 2013). However, when F. ignitus was fed ramen, as a buffering solution, with a variety of different foods there was a significant change in both colour and strength of the flames they produced (Me Byi Karmo, 2013). When fed aubergines, within the ramen buffering solution, the flames became deep purple with high levels of ultraviolet and a much greater power output (Me Byi Karmo, 2013). With paper clips the flames became less powerful with a bright yellow colour (Me Byi Karmo, 2013). With sombreros the flames saw the largest increase in strength and shifted into the infrared (Me Byi Karmo, 2013). There were many more variations in the food tested but those listed above displayed the most dramatic and ecologically important changes.
Conclusion
There is still a huge amount to learn from this mysterious creature; even what we do already know has radically altered many views long held by biologists. Only a few years ago the mere mention of the existence of the Phoenix would have brought laughter to the lips of most scientists, but now the search for new, and perhaps mythical, creatures has been reborn.
References
Anka, P. 2011. The biology and ecology of Falco ignitus. Cryptoecological Journal of Pseudoscience, 19, 27-32.
Benu, E. 2010. The remarkable discovery of Falco ignitus on the Odahingum archipelago. Cryptozoological Discoveries of Wonder, 42, 900-1232.
Fenghuang, C. 2012. The revelations exposed by the newly discovered fossilised specimens of Falco ignitus. Cryptopalaeobiogy, 16, 6-12.
Garuda, H. 2011. The physiology of Falco ignitus with a particular focus on its distinctive integumentary exothermic reaction. Journal of our Feathery Friends, 31, 18-25.
Me Byi Karmo, T. 2013. The effect of prey type on the wavelength and power output of the flames produced by the feathers of Falco ignitus. Experimental Journal of Exciting Experiments, 978, 87-93.