Chamber birds

White, mute, and almost blind, the odd, fungus-eating chamber bird (S. "aew samman") is one of the many strange inhabitants of Moria. They seek out the fungus by their remarkable sense of smell (odd indeed for a bird) and note enemies by their inaudibly high cries, in the manner of bats. Their large, gaping beaks have serrated edges and their bluish talons are both sharp and strong. Totally herbivorous (primarily fungivorous), they rarely attack animals unless surprised or starving (some instinct for meat seems to remain from some predacious ancestor).