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Spoiler warning!
This article or section contains plot spoilers for the Mortal Engines quartet. Proceed at your own risk. |
Stalker birds are birds that have been Stalkerized.
They are primarily used as mobile surveillance (though certain models, namely the Lammergeier, are combat-focused) and lookouts as seen with various Green Storm military bases alongside use as messengers. Like other Green Storm Stalkers (excepting major ones such as the Stalker Fang), the battery life of the birds is paltry and they regularly need recharging.
Description[]
Stalker birds have glowing green eyes and sharpened blades for their beaks and claws.
History[]
Mortal Engines quartet[]
Predator's Gold[]
They were first invented by the Green Storm at Rogue's Roost, with the first models used to patrol the sky around the facility. When Tom Natsworthy tried to get inside to rescue Hester, the Stalker-birds attacked him. He still bore the scratches from their attack for years to come, accompanied by a minor fear of birds. These Stalker-birds latter attacked the Lost Boys during their incursion.
He struck at it with his fist and his forearm and flung it away. As he hurried on up he felt pain and looked down to see blood welling out of three long cuts on the side of his hand. What sort of bird was this? Its talons had gone straight through his best leather mittens!
Infernal Devices[]
A Stalker-bird was used to guard the Tin Book of Anchorage in Brighton, which was later destroyed by Theo Ngoni and Wren Natsworthy. The Stalker Birds were also used in the Battle of Brighton to deal with enemy air units, proving extremely effective against the lightly-protected Flying Ferrets.
A Darkling Plain[]
Stalker-birds occasionally fly over and keep watch on the wreckage of London. When the Green Storm suspected London of controlling ODIN, Stalker-birds were sent to attack the surviving community of Londoners, badly wounding at least one Londoner.
When Oenone Zero was rescued from Napster Varley on Airhaven, a flock of Stalker-birds were sent to help escort the Jenny Haniver safely away. During the mission to destroy the Stalker Fang, a flock of Stalker-birds under the command of the Stalker Fang attacked the Jenny Haniver; though Shrike destroyed many of the birds, the ship eventually fell to their attacks, crashing and burning to a charred wreck.