ZIZ

One might be forgiven for taking a ziz for a cloudkin, given its patches of bright plumage and its speed colloquially described as "flying". But there is no flight in these creatures, only the speed born of powerful hind legs; thus, they are scalekin. It is thought they might be close kin to raptors, despite their vastly more muscular bodies and the sharp bony crest upon their "beaks". (1)

Ziz are widespread upon the face of Eorzea and beyond, and each kind as deadly as the last, between their razor-sharp talons and sometimes poison breath. (1)

Ziz are not solitary creatures, but hunt in pairs. One gives chase, driving the prey, and then the other ambushes and makes the kill; both then feed. (2)

(1) Encyclopaedia Eorzea Vol. 1, p. 287
(2) Hunter-scholar entry for Alectryon (Western Thanalan)

Known species/types of ziz:

- Ziz
- Ziz gorlin
- Pack ziz
- Brood ziz
- Carrier ziz
- Molted ziz
- Zadnor ziz
- Axe beak
- Clutch pelican
- Giant pelican

- Alectryon
- Great yellow pelican
- Hyur-eating pelican
- Rothlyt pelican
- Violet back
- Sledgehammer beak
- Tomahawk beak
- Rudis beak
- Gaunt beak
- Gobbie beak

- Dark matter pelican
- Territorial pelican
- Hammer beak
- Sable back
- Blue back
- Giant oxpecker
- Golden axe beak
- Greataxe beak
- Silver axe beak
- Guillotine beak

Alectryon

Most ziz hunt in pairs, and share the food one with the other, but Alectryon took all of the prey for himself, leaving his "ambusher" to starve. Though most would call this "hubris", it seems he is right to trust to his strength, as many unwary travelers could attest (if they lived to tell the tale). (2)

The Grand Companies will reward those who drive the ravening fiend back into hiding, even if only for a few days. (3)

(2) Hunter-scholar entry for Alectryon (Western Thanalan)
(3) Respawn timer for Alectryon is 3.5 to 4.5 real-world hours, or 3-4 day cycles in-game

Habitat: Western Thanalan, various
(Link goes to FFXIVHunt.com)

Combat Rating: 50, A-rank

Notes: Those who hunt Alectryon should be wary of his breath, which can temporarily petrify any on whom it falls.

Great yellow PELICAN

The jungles that are now Brayflox's Longstop have been home to the usual range of wildlife--including ziz. Whereas most hunt in pairs, the specimens that dwelt in the Longstop had a veritable pack, led by the mighty Great Yellow Pelican. (4)

(4) Boss: Great Yellow Pelican

Habitat:
Eastern La Noscea, Brayflox's Longstop (normal only)

Combat Rating: 32

HYUR-EATING PELICAN

The Agelyss Wise was once a relatively safe road for those traveling between Bronze Lake and Wineport, but the Calamity changed that. Now, ferocious man-eating pelicans stalk porters and travelers, quite ready to cook them with their fiery breath before eating them. (5)

(5) Levequest: Wonder Wine

Habitat:
Eastern La Noscea, Agelyss Wise (levequest only)

Combat Rating: 37

ROTHLYT PELICAN

If one travels west from Aleport, the Rothlyt pelican will introduce itself to him most aggressively. Possessed of both soporific and petrifying breath, it will occasionally unleash these in conjunction with hammer-like swings of its beaked face.

Young arcanists, marauders, and rogues are oft tasked with culling the dangerous scalekin. (6)

(6) Hunting Logs: Arcanist, Rogue, Marauder

Habitat:
Western La Noscea, Skull Valley

Combat Rating: 16-17

Violet back

The violet back was a species--or, at least, coloration--of ziz that dwelt in the jungles of Eastern La Noscea. Perhaps driven into pack behavior by the competition from Aiatar the dragon, the violet backs attended the Great Yellow Pelican as its honor guard. (4)

(4) Boss: Great Yellow Pelican

Habitat:
Eastern La Noscea, Brayflox's Longstop (normal only)

Combat Rating: 32