South Bird

The South Bird is a species of bird native to the forests of Jaya and Skypiea. For unknown reasons, its head is always inclined south, regardless of its current location or position.

In ancient times, prior to the development of Log Poses, some civilizations used South Birds as navigational aids.

Appearance
South Birds have extremely colorful plumage, chiefly in alternating patterns of purple and green. Their heads—particularly bills—are markedly long and narrow, akin to those of toucans. Like most birds, they are tetradactyl, with three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing.

The typical Jaya specimen is roughly the size of a human toddler. However, the typical Skypiea specimen—due to generations of consuming the land's unique nutrients—is several times larger.

Behavior
South Birds cannot point their heads in any other direction, even momentarily, without considerable effort. To compensate, their neck muscles are incredibly flexible, allowing them to turn and move their bodies more-or-less independently of their heads.

Their call is a deep and highly distinctive "Jyo" (ジョー). Through unknown mechanisms, this call allows them to control a wide variety of insects, such as moths, hornets, and praying mantises.

Possibly due to a long history of being hunted and used as navigational tools, the South Birds of Jaya tend to be ill-disposed toward humans, and will not hesitate to drive nearby insects against would-be hunters. In contrast, those of Skypiea are benign enough to befriend, respect, and even rescue humans at no gain to themselves.

Variants
Jaya's forests are also known to contain North, Eastern, and Western Birds, all of which behave similarly toward those respective directions. They are mostly identical to the South Bird in appearance, differing mainly in the shape of the crests atop their heads:
 * The Eastern Bird's crest resembles the letter "E"
 * The Western Bird's crest resembles the letter "W"
 * The North Bird's crest resembles a heart (though this may possibly be a female-specific trait)

These variants are apparently biologically close enough to mate and produce offspring in any combination (not unlike Fish-Men and Merfolk). It remains unknown how their overall populations compare, or whether they exist in Skypiea as well.

Past
South Birds were well-known on Jaya even in the age of old Shandora, and the ancient Shandia were known to sculpt golden idols in their image. Indeed, Mont Blanc Noland's first impressions of the island (apart from the Golden Bell's tolling) were "the cries of a strange jungle bird."

After the Knock-Up Stream launched half of Jaya (including Shandora) into Skypiea, a large population of South Birds acclimated themselves to the new environment of what would come to be known as Upper Yard. Over centuries, the unique mixture of nutrients caused them to grow many times larger than their Jaya forebears.

Jaya Arc


When the Straw Hat Pirates resolved to ride the Knock-Up Stream to Skypiea, Mont Blanc Cricket urged them to find a South Bird to navigate by (as the Stream had no earth or minerals for a Log Pose to affix to). The search proved long and frustrating, as the Straw Hats were unused to Jaya's forests, and the South Birds marshalled countless insects to drive them away. However, one eventually grew too bold in taunting the Straw Hats, and Nico Robin pinpointed and caught it with her Hana Hana powers.

This South Bird was soon chained to the Going Merry's foredeck, but remained defiant, and even tried to mislead its captors by averting its head—unsuccessfully, much to Luffy's amusement. With its unwilling help, the Straw Hats were able to reach the Knock-Up Stream, and ultimately Skypiea.

Skypiea Arc


Shortly after the Straw Hats entered Skypiea, they freed their South Bird, which furiously pecked an apologetic Nami before flying off.

Later, the crew encountered many Skypiea-born South Birds in the forests of Upper Yard:
 * A large flock saved Gan Fall, Pierre, and Chopper (all severely beaten by Shura) from the shark-infested waters around the Sacrificial Altar, out of respect for Gan Fall's legacy as "God" of Skypiea.
 * Another one encountered Zoro and began following him in hopes of food, only for Zoro to repeatedly rebuff it and even throw his knapsack at it; undaunted, it flew off with the knapsack, forcing Zoro to grab on. Once airborne, the pair were spotted and attacked by a hungry Nola, panicking the South Bird into tossing Zoro free.

Surprisingly, the Straw Hats' original South Bird returned to the Going Merry as it was about to leave Skypiea, claiming (according to Chopper) to dislike Skypiea's environment. What became of it afterwards is unknown.

G-8 Arc
In the anime, the south bird's role was somewhat extended to play another comedic role as he is annoyed by Vice Admiral Jonathan and attacks him in the G-8 Arc. The south bird was again unseen after that.

Non-Playable

 * One Piece: Grand Battle! 3
 * One Piece: Grand Battle! Rush!

Trivia



 * Ironically, a south bird started following Zoro, who was lost at the time and needed to go south, but was going in the opposite direction as indicated by the south bird's head pointing the other way.
 * Before chapter 644's cover, the anime showed three birds where one was shown pointing east.
 * These birds were possibly inspired by the magnetoreception abilities found in many real-life animals, most famously the homing pigeon.

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