Pyrolisk

The pyrolisk is a magical beast that is very similar in appearance and physical strength to the cockatrice. Their differences lie in the pyrolisk's red tail feathers and special abilities.

Special abilities
While the cockatrice is often cited as having a stoning touch or gaze, pyrolisks rely on their own special gaze which causes any who meet it to burst into flame, along with any nearby source of fire. Pyrolisks themselves are immune to all sources of fire. Unlike the cockatrice, which has an animal intelligence and is considered to be of neutral alignment, the pyrolisk has a somewhat increased intelligence, and is a neutral evil creature. While it normally detests all creatures, its mortal enemy is the phoenix.

Young
Although a young pyrolisk does not possess all the special abilities its fully-grown counterpart does, it can still cast pyrotechnics at will.

Cormanthor
The starwood area of the Cormanthor forest contains a number of pyrolisks. If these encounter an owlbear termite pit, they will use it to hatch their young. The owlbears do not put up a fight since they know the threat posed by the pyrolisk. To make herself at home, the pyrolisk will eat all the adult termites and then scatter some gems and shiny objects in the pit. Once the eggs have been laid, the mother will abandon them, leaving the hatchlings to eat the termite larvae.