birdwomen

Birdwoman is a term used to describe a humanoid creature with avian features, typically female, capable of flight and possessing birdlike plumage, beaks, or talons. In folklore and myth, similar beings appear under various names, and "birdwoman" serves as a descriptive label rather than a single canonical species.

In classical mythology, harpies are the best-known example: winged women who act as agents of punishment or messengers of the gods, later depicted in varying ways as fearsome or pitiable figures. In Norse imagery, avian forms are associated with valkyries, who select slain warriors and are symbolically linked to birds, though they are not strictly depicted as literal birdwomen. Other traditions imagine phoenix-inspired female figures, such as fenghuang in East Asian lore, symbols of renewal and virtue rather than a humanoid race.

In modern fantasy and speculative fiction, "birdwoman" is used as a trope for humanoid avian characters—often shown as harpy-like antagonists, guardians, or allies. Role-playing games and video games frequently include harpy or birdwoman encounters, representing a winged, sometimes cunning, feminine archetype. The concept can explore themes of freedom, hybridity, and the tension between animal and human traits.

See also: harpy, valkyrie, siren, avian humanoid.