Phoenix

Characteristics
While the physical appearance of a phoenix will vary when in human form, the bird form of a phoenix is one of a giant bird with red, orange, and yellow plumage. In bird form, a phoenix stands anywhere from 5.5 to 7.0 feet, with a wingspan that is generally at least twice its height. Phoenix possess massive talons that can be used in an offensive capacity (for hunting or otherwise) or defensively. Their tail feathers are typically long and fanned out to give them very precise control of their flight.

Special Abilities And Distinguishing Features
A phoenix has the ability to take human form, and while most prefer to remain birds, there are a few individuals that spend more time as humans. A phoenix's physical appearance may or may not change when the phoenix molts. Generally, they have control over whether or not they change, but sometimes if they molt under duress, they can change against there will and in extreme cases lose their memories.

The abilities of a phoenix vary between bird and human form. In bird form, phoenix are capable of flight and are said to have a beautiful, calming song. Their tears are a powerful healing agent. They can also wield fire, and the strength of the flames are said to be exceeded only by a dragon's.

In human form, a phoenix cannot fly, but most of the other traits transfer. Many of them are vocally gifted, through either speech or song, and most are incredibly gifted fire wielders. The ability for a phoenix to heal with tears in human form is somewhat less common.

Lifespan
A phoenix can live anywhere from 500 to 1000 years before they need to molt, erupting in flames and arising from their own ashes. There does not appear to be a limit to how many times a phoenix can do this. In human form, they mature fairly quickly, reaching the appearance of a 25-year-old human by the time they are 10 years into their life cycle.

Cultural Description
Phoenix are largely solitary creatures. Because of their small numbers and limited interaction, it's hard to pinpoint phoenix culture. The familial structure is almost non-existent. Most phoenix rarely mate, and their low reproduction rate means that there are rarely offspring around. If a phoenix does have an offspring, that child will quickly learn how to be independent and will leave the mother as soon as it can survive on its own, having very little contact with her once they've parted ways, though there are exceptions to that. Phoenix will sometimes become the "guardian" of an individual. They do not belong to that individual, nor do they do his or her bidding, but they feel like they are somehow connected to this individual and will take an interest in their activities and are more likely to interact with them on a personal level. This kind of connection is fairly infrequent.