D&D: Five Ways to Be a Bird Person in Dungeons & Dragons
D&D is full of bird people. Even more so now, since the Humblewood Campaign setting is on D&D Beyond. Here’s how to play one.
For a game with both Dungeons & Dragons in its name, D&D is surprisingly full of humanoid birds, aka bird people. From Aarakocra to Kenku to Owlin and more, the basic game has so many bird options in it at this point, it’s a little ridiculous. And once you add in all the birdfolk from the new to D&D Beyond Humblewood Campaign Setting and you’ve got a veritable aviary to choose from when making your next character.
But what kind of bird person should you play? And how do you do it besides just making squawking noises at the table whenever people ask what you’re up to? We’ve got some helpful tips for the aspiring bird person.
Know What Kind of Bird You Want to Be
There is a wide variety of bird people to select from. Aarakocra, Kenku, the Owlin, Wildhunt Shifters, if you pick the Bird option, even something like a Simic Hybrid could be a bird person if you take feathery wings or go for a more aquatic bird type mutation.
Regardless, the first thing you want to keep in mind is what kind of bird you want to be.
Do you want to be flightless? Or do you want to take to the skies? Do you want to have bird powers? And if so, what kind? Aarakocra and Owlin will give you the gift of flight, but a few other things besides. The Aarakocra have wings and can fly, but also can make a Gust of Wind. While Owlin are good at stealth.
Kenku are perfect mimics. And even Wildhunt Shifters, who are a bit like hawks, are capable of canceling out any advantage they would give to people hitting them. Pick a vibe, and go for it.
Support the Vibes Mechanically
Once you have the vibe picked, it’s time to to back it up with rules. Are you a keen-sighted bird? Lean in hard and pick up the Observant feat to give yourself a +5 bonus to passive Perception and Investigation to reflect those keen bird eyes.
Are you extra maneuverable? Something like Mobility might help you lock in that as a concept. Or play a Rogue that gives you bonus actions you can do cool things with, like dash or hide. There are plenty of ways to give yourself a little mechanical bump that ties in with the kind of bird vibes you’re going for.
Come Up with Some Bird Sayings
Okay, you’ve got the vibe. You’ve got the mechanics. Now you just gotta talk like a bird.
Of course, not literally. Unless you really want to make squawking noises. But think of some bird-type things to say. What does that mean? Here’s the best part, it means whatever you want it to mean. What do you think a bird might talk about?
You could say something that references a bird’s physical qualities, like “Oh don’t ruffle my feathers” or “My beak’s itching, danger must be near.” Or, if you’re up on the personality of birds, you can lean into that. Are you playing a Kenku who’s like a Grackle?
If so, become intensely interested in any chips or scraps of food that might happen to be lying around. Look at some bird behaviors and play with them. Be obvious, because odds are good if you think birds do a thing, the other people at the table think it too.
Be Fascinated by Weird Things
An easy way to play up the fact that you’re not a typical humanoid is to be fascinated by the strangest things. Use this one sparingly, too much and you bog down the table. This is a candle that should not burn bright or often. But, things like being fascinated by materials that might make a good nest.
Or if you’re something like a Kenku, being fascinated by sounds you can mimic. Or by stones, you might sharpen your beak against. Little physical things your character can do in-world, to play up their bird nature.
Hop to It
Even if you don’t have a flying speed, look for little moments where you can describe the birdlike ways your character is moving. Especially outside of combat. Maybe you hop around. Or have a little dance you do like this one.
Happy adventuring
