Birds: Interesting mechanics

[xInfinityx 44]

I have a few suggestions for bird mechanics that I think would add to the wonderful atmosphere that is developing in DayZ.

 

Birds are already in DayZ, and it has been confirmed by Rocket that players will be able to hunt them. So, I've started this thread to discuss and suggest some things that could make birds behave realistically and more interestingly.

 

Different types of birds:

 

Hawks, Buzzards, Crows,  Ducks/Geese, owls, bats (obvs not a bird), seagulls, etc.

 

HAWKS

 

Hawks could be witnessed hunting rabbits (similarly to owls at night), and in general flying high in the sky. Also, they would provide food and feathers (for arrows & headdresses) for the capable hunter. Maybe you could even use a freshly killed rabbit as bait for all birds.

 

Possibly long term you can tame hawks and use them to hunt rabbits for you. This obviously would be dependent on how much depth the developers plan to add to DayZ. I think this could be useful for the woodsman/survivalist style of DayZ play.  (would require leather, rope, a built cage, and bait to tame a hawk)

 

BUZZARDS/VULTURES

 

Buzzards and crows would feed on dead animals and players.  they would be realistic visuals cues that there is something dead in the area and something has happened to cause death.  

 

Buzzards would only come around to feast on something dead, and also if a player is very injured. For instance, they have been crawling through a field crippled for a long period, or just laying out in the open (possibly camping and sniping) then the buzzards would start circling. Also, provide food and feathers, but high risk of infection.

 

CROWS

 

Crows would congregate regularly in different areas like normal birds do.  They would scatter upon gunshots in a vicinity near them, or if a player breaches a certain distance around them. Also, provide food and feathers for players. 

 

DUCKS/GEESE

 

They populate water systems. Ponds, Lakes, rivers, creeks. Can be observed flying south as a cue to help orientate the lost survivor. Flocks of ducks, geese, crows, and seagulls will ruin plane and helicopter engines if you fly into them causing the unlucky (or crazy) survivor to be forced to eject. Also, provide food and feathers.

 

OWLS

 

Can be witnessed hunting rabbits at night in the woods. Flying around wooded areas and across fields. Possibly show up in barns at night as well to scare the crap out of someone looking for loot. Also. provide food and feathers.

 

BATS

 

Flying around at night in the open air. Possibly turn zombified from feeding off of zombies and becoming infected. Infected bats attack players and give them infections. Also, provide food at high risk of infection. Can also be found in barns at night.

 

 

SEAGULLS

 

Eat trash possibly left by players around the coast lines. Fly around and congregate coast lines, and islands. Also, provide food and feathers. Fly in flocks around coast lines that could cause damage to air vehicles.

 

 

 

I think that is about it...

Edited December 8, 2013 by xInfinityx

[h3l1x 327]

Well, apart from the lack of mention of scavengers/vultures and the fact that vampire bats only live in the US and in tropical/subtropical areas, it kinda looks good.

[taco241 393]

Well, apart from the lack of mention of scavengers/vultures and the fact that vampire bats only live in the US and in tropical/subtropical areas, it kinda looks good.

I think the OP mentioned "Buzzards" aka Vultures above.

[h3l1x 327]

I think the OP mentioned "Buzzards" aka Vultures above.

 

Wrong. Buzzards are medium/large birds of prey, aka hunters, like hawks, eagles, falcons, etc. Vultures are usually larger, not hunters but scavengers, they eat the carcasses of large mammals.

Edited December 8, 2013 by h3l1x

[Jasonperson 78]

Wrong. Buzzards are medium/large birds of prey, aka hunters, like hawks, eagles, falcons, etc. Vultures are usually larger, not hunters but scavengers, they eat the carcasses of large mammals.

Here where I live, Turkey Buzzards and Vultures are the same thing. They scavenge dead animals, and that's what he said they do. So it obviously just a case of using a wrong word. It's easy to know what he meant lol.

Edited December 8, 2013 by Jasonperson

[xInfinityx 44]

Well, apart from the lack of mention of scavengers/vultures and the fact that vampire bats only live in the US and in tropical/subtropical areas, it kinda looks good.

 

Yeah, so if you wan't to get super authentic make the bats fruit bats or whatever other types of bats are native to the Russian area and the infected ones attack humans.  I was really aiming for 100% realism here. Just a more enjoyable playing experience. Maybe Vultures and Crow could also become infected as they both scavenge. 

 

Here where I live, Turkey Buzzards and Vultures are the same thing. They scavenge dead animals, and that's what he said they do. So it obviously just a case of using a wrong word. It's easy to know what he meant lol.

 

In the New World Buzzard can mean:

• A vulture, particularly the American Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture, or as a general term for vultures.
• In parts of the United States where they are considered pest, particularly in rural areas, a derogatory term for certain birds of prey, such as the Chickenhawk (a common colloquial name referring to either the Cooper's Hawk, the Sharp-shinned Hawk or the Red-tailed Hawk), or the Duck hawk (known elsewhere as the Peregrine Falcon).

 

Either way, it doesn't matter you get what I was meaning. Buzzards = Vultures for the purpose of my suggestions.

[AP_Norris 1018]

Some small birds would be nice, make use of a birdshot shell for the shotgun.

Frighten a bunch of birds by sprinting under a tree and then shoot a shell of birdshot at them for a good couple meals but a lot of work plucking & cutting.

Smaller birds could be things like swallows.

Here's a list of birds according to Wikipedia found in the Czech Republic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_the_Czech_Republic

Edited December 9, 2013 by AP_Norris

[green_machine 179]

There are a lot of ponds etc. I'd love to hear "Quack! Quack!" now and then. Kill a duck then roast it.


I had duck today for Boxing Day Feast... Damn fine bird. 

[Jeremiah Cross 55]

Gamebirds like pheasants and grouse would be kind of fun to have in the forest.  Just imagine walking through the woods or a field and having a few flush right in front of you.  May waste a few rounds and a good pair of pants, but hey.

Pidgeons in the larger towns could also be a nice touch.  Have them flush when a player gets to close or in reaction to gunfire.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Jeremiah Cross

[Wolfguarde 108]

Having any sort of birds with a reaction to player proximity/gunfire would be amazing. Adding another dimension to PvP and letting people know when a firefight is going on beyond hearing range.

Possibly also have swooping birds (thinking birds like magpies and the like) infrequently found in towns, which will attack the player for minor damage and make noise when their spawn location (nest) is approached. Nest locations would not be obvious, or possibly not even visible - just a random mechanic to make traversing cities and forest that little bit more dangerous.

[green_machine 179]

Having any sort of birds with a reaction to player proximity/gunfire would be amazing. Adding another dimension to PvP and letting people know when a firefight is going on beyond hearing range.

Possibly also have swooping birds (thinking birds like magpies and the like) infrequently found in towns, which will attack the player for minor damage and make noise when their spawn location (nest) is approached. Nest locations would not be obvious, or possibly not even visible - just a random mechanic to make traversing cities and forest that little bit more dangerous.

 

 

YES. Who could resist a duck roast? I'd fire 4 buckshots for that!

Edited December 28, 2013 by DaveZ

[Wolfguarde 108]

Lose with precision? WIN WITH VOLUME! >=D

Also, love that line in your sig.