[HPFGU-OTChatter] combines replies and *long* on Quetzalcoatlus

[Silverthorne Dragon]

{Catlady Rita}

"Coatl" is often translated "cloud serpent"; it is a winged serpent
that flies and brings rainstorms. I believe that "coatl" and
"thunderbird" are the same entity: a divine flying creature with
feathers and a toothed beak who brings rainstorms with lightning and
fights evil. The god named Feathered Serpent is named after It/them.

{Anne}

I say they may be related as to thier function, but are not the same
creature--the descriptions as well as the source legends are vastly
different. The mythical Quetzalcoatyl (god or not) is a serpent, as you
said--however, the Thunderbird is very definitely eagle-like in appearance.
very different tribes are the source for the two creatures as well. Although
a favorite fad nowadays is to 'combine' creatures from different mythology
and say they are the same creature, I don't really ascribe to that theory.
They are thier own creatures, just like real animals. I mean, a hawk and an
eagle are both raptors--they cover similar niches in thier respective
habitats (which sometimes over lap), but they have very distinct differences
despite thier similar descriptions. Even thier wingshapes are different...
For the same reason, I don't identfy the south american bird intimately with
the mythic creatue--it is very different in species, look, etc.

{Catlady Rita}

However, back in 2002, Boggles of HPfGU sent me an e-mail arguing that
quetzalcoatls (she said lowercase is the modern name for coatls) are
entirely different than thunderbirds: "It is generally agreed by
dragon fans that the quetzalcoatl is the draconic variant of the
Americas.  They are often associated with water, but it is more often
rivers or wells than rain per se."  *shrug* I disagree with those
dragon fans. To me, quetzalcoatls have feathers and dragons don't.

{Anne}

The only time I've seen the 'quetzacoatyl' identified as a dragon is in the
game Shadowrun...the creature I'm familiar with from my studies (and Mexiacn
friends) is a snake--feathered and magical, but definately a snake.
Likewise, the only time I've seen the mythic creature presented as a
bird-like creature is in Final Fantasy (An RPG video game originally
developed in Japan--who is infamous for altering and combining world myths
for the sake of a 'good story'). The real birds however are birds...and
you're right, they are very pretty...

{Catlady Rita}

I have proper respect for the good god Feathered Serpent, but
spirituality and religion don't fit into the worldview of Fantastic
Beasts and Where to Find Them. In JKR's wizarding world, magic is just
a part of nature and magical beasts are just as biological as Muggle
beasts. It is in that spirit that I write of thunderbirds as a
species.

{Anne}

And that is how I also would expect it to be represented if used in
Rowling's world--as a creature, and not linked to the god legends (After
all, some of the the first 'dragons' in recorded myth was the god Bahamut
and his antitheses Tiamat--and they are more commonly nowadays identified as
'merely' dragons in most literature. Also, the chinese Phoenix was also
considered a god--the 'Red Bird' of the East--but now is more commonly
identified as 'just' one more phoenix myth)  I am merely relating the legend
as it is usually represented, and the most common one. No need to assume
'godhood' for it--most people assume the quetzacoatyl (the mythic one, not
the bird) is merely a magical creature anyway...^^

{Catlady Rita}

Quetzalcoatlus northrupi and other pterosaurs are reptiles, not birds(and
not dinosaurs, but I can't remember why).

{Anne}

I think they're not considered dinosaurs because the skeletal structure is
closer to what we identify as a modern reptilian structure as opposed to the
distinct structure of dinosuars (which had the beginning hints of things
like bird-shaped hip bones and the like, but were mostly reptile otherwise).
Also...I THINK scientists decided that most dinos were warm blooded--and
reptiles are cold blooded as a general rule...so that might be a
consideration in the classification...I haven't read up in dinos in about 8
years, so...*shrugs*