Hawkstrider

The hawkstrider is the blood elves' racial mount. It was formerly called a cockatrice but was later changed, though that mythical beast remains the inspiration for the hawkstrider. As their name implies, hawkstriders resemble other members of the tallstrider family, though their plumage is both larger and more vibrant. They come in a variety of bright colors and have a thin, curved beak and burning orange eyes. Epic versions include decorative armor on the chest and head. The hawkstrider's movements exhibit the same rhythmic, back-and-forth motion which characterizes the other two-legged mounts. They use a heavily modified tallstrider model, but they possess a wildly different looking exterior and a unique standing-jump and running animation.

A hawkstrider has both avian and reptilian features, as does the typical rendition of a cockatrice, hinting at a relation between the two. Still, there is little resemblance between the two in-game.

Background
When Kael'thas led his followers to the ruined world of Outland, the vibrant hawkstriders that were brought with them proved to be welcome reminders of the blood elves’ beauteous home in Quel'Thalas. Valued for their trustworthiness and speed, these colorful avian creatures embody the inherent splendor of the forests within the blood elven kingdom. While tragedy has befallen Quel’Thalas in recent years, the hawkstriders remain an integral part of the elves’ day-to-day lives.

Hawkstriders as mobs
Various locations, notably Shadowmoon Valley, have hawkstriders being used as mounts by NPCs. In some cases, when the NPC dismounts to begin combat, the hawkstrider appears as a pet of the NPC and participates.

Hawkstriders as Mounts


Hawkstriders are sold by Winaestra located at the exterior stables south of Silvermoon City in the Eastern Kingdoms. Trellis Morningsun the Silvermoon Quartermaster in Icecrown also sells two unique hawkstriders. Vasarin Redmorn the Sunreavers Quartmaster also sells a hawkstrider.

Trivia

 * Before Patch 3.0.8 the Swift White Hawkstrider was also the only hawkstrider usable by tauren players. It is also the only hawkstrider available to members of the Alliance.
 * Hawkstriders are sometimes called "chocobos" by players due to their resemblance to the aforementioned Final Fantasy creature.