Column: The Vexing Bird of the Snowy Plains

If you look closely, there are eye-like patterns on the inside of its wings. These are called ocelli, and in real-life creatures, they primarily serve as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from predators. The eye patterns found on butterflies and moths function to startle or drive away enemies like owls and large felines by mimicking eyes when a predator, such as a bird, approaches. In the case of this troublesome bird, the fact that they are on the inside (which becomes the underside when flying) implies that the intended audience for these patterns is on the ground. Even among the monsters that attack in unison during gameplay, it seems there's a predator-prey relationship in their normal interactions. Personally, I find it baffling ('Huh!?') that this creature, which initiates combat with self-buffs and a single powerful blow, isn't the apex predator. Something on the ground that would prey on this bird...? Maybe Bigfoot...?