Harpy Anatomy: Crops

A concept art for harpy respiratory and digestive systems

For the Harpy wiki entry:

UNDER “BIOLOGICAL TRAITS”:

A feature that some Felaryan harpies share with birds is a crop that is located just above their stomach. The crop is considered part of the harpy’s digestive system even though no digestion takes place there and it’s mainly used for the storage of food that will eventually make its way to the stomach where digestion begins. Having a crop allows a harpy to eat even after her stomach has become full; it’s only when her stomach becomes empty again that food from the crop is moved into the stomach. Because harpies don’t have hands with which to carry things, the crop is useful as a pouch where things can safely be stored until the harpy wants to regurgitate it. Using this method, harpies can bring food to their hatchlings whose wings aren’t strong enough for flight yet.