Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[Shade]

Let's get the basics going...

They are about 1-1/2 feet tall, so Tiny?

Other Tiny birds...
Owl: Str 4, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 4
Raven: Str 1, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Ibis: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 16, Cha 6

Maybe Str 3, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6?

 

[freyar]

Since Wikipedia says they're not scared of picking hot meat off a grill, I figure their Con has to be decent. Let's bump it to 12-13.

 

[Shade]

Couldn't that be as much a factor of Dex, though?

I can't really see these things as heartier than owls. Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[freyar]

If we're going to go with Dex, then let's at least make the Dex bonus a point higher than the owl's.

 

[Shade]

Fair enough. So how about Str 3, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 7?

 

[freyar]

Pretty reasonable. Some sort of mimicry ability a la blue dragons?

 

[demiurge1138]

Kookaburra don't mimic. They just laugh. Now, if we were doing a lyrebird...

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

What if we modify the sound imitation a bit...

Laughter Imitation (Ex): A kookaburra's call sounds like humanoid laughter. Listeners must succeed on a DC X Will save to detect the ruse. A kookaburra does not intentionally use this ability to confuse humanoids, unless it has been taken as a familiar.

 

[freyar]

I kind of like that. Sure.

Skills: Hide 2, Move Silently 2? Or maybe Hide 4? Seems to fit with the way it hunts.
Feat: Alertness? Or Flyby Attack to go with the grill robbing?

Let's give it good maneuverability.

 

[Shade]

Nearly all the predatory birds have Alertness and a racial bonus on Spot checks (most are +4). All have Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat, so I'd recommend doing the same here.

Most have ranks in Listen and Spot, with a few having Move Silently.

I like Flyby Attack for these fellas, though.

How about a +4 racial bonus on Spot checks and the following...

Skills: Spot 4 (They'll get a +8 bonus on Hide due to size, and don't need to Move Silently since they generally just sit still and wait)
Feats: Flyby Attack, Weapon Finesse (B)

Currently, I have a bite as the sole attack. I couldn't tell by the Wikipedia entry whether they favor their beak or talons, or use both. Anyone know?