PhoenixPhoenix ignis

A bird the size of an eagle in crimson and gold, said to live five hundred years before building a nest of frankincense and myrrh, setting it alight and rising again from the ash. Herodotus heard the story in Egypt and admitted he did not quite believe it. Every age since has told it anyway.

Field notes

Wingspan

4 m

Lifespan

500 years, then again

Diet

Frankincense and myrrh

Reported

Heliopolis, Egypt

Haunts

Temple roofs, desert dawns and the pages of Herodotus.

Close-up DetailEach tail plume ends in a pale gold tip, the only part said to survive the fire.