Fiction:The Firmament/Cockatrice

Cockatrices are a species of magical beast notable for its petrifying bite. They are closely related to basilisks.

Appearance
Cockatrices resemble grotesque, scaled chickens with leathery wings and sharp teeth upon their beaks. Their scales are generally shades of brown. They are roughly the size and weight of actual chickens, if not lighter.

Ecology
Cockatrices prefer living in temperate open regions, making them an uncommon sight through the central portions of Dryadala. They prefer to congregate around small portions of woodland, where they may make their nests.

Society
Cockatrices tend to live in small groups of anywhere between a pair to an entire flock. Certain races, particularly the more savage ones, have attempted to use them as livestock with varying, but usually negative results; beyond their aggressive demeanor, cockatrice meat is considered foul-tasting by most humanoids. Cockatrices tolerate the presence of basilisks in their vicinity, but are particularly afraid of weasels, usually fleeing in a panic at the sight of one.

Abilities
Cockatrices are foul-tempered and attack with little provocation, often by biting and scratching with their talons. Their bite is magical and causes the wounded area to slowly turn into stone, requiring immediate healing in order to stop the transformation. Creatures with power over earth-based magic are resistant, if not immune to a cockatrice's bite, and weasels are also notable for having an immunity to it, despite being mundane animals, which allows them to raid their nests.