Scientific name -- Aquila inferna
Size -- 800 lbs.
Diet -- Self-fueling

An eagle-like bird with feathers of gold and red, the Phoenix was associated with the Sun and fire. It was long-lived and had the ability to reproduce or reincarnate itself after death. In some traditions, it built its own funeral nest before dying and then a young Phoenix would issue from the dead body. After Christianity began to spread, the tale of the Phoenix changed so that the bird turned its funeral nest into a pyre and self-immolated. After a period of time, usually three days, a new Phoenix rose from the ashes. The Phoenix became a symbol for both immortality and life after death.

"And at the five hundred years' end, the priests array their altar honestly, and put thereupon spices and sulphur vif and other things that will burn lightly; and then the bird phoenix cometh and burneth himself to ashes. And the first day next after, men find in the ashes a worm; and the second day next after, men find a bird quick and perfect; and the third day next after, he flieth his way." -- The Travels of Sir John Mandeville 