Birds of Mythology

In mythology and how many writers describe this bird. It is normally massive, able to at lease seat one human on the back. In some works they are the size of a mountain, while in others they about the size of a dragon. Normal seen a a type of eagle. Though I have heard of things describing it as a flying rock bird. Which sounds a bit odd if you say it is a Rock Roc, as R O C is pronounced as Rock.

In my works, they are normally akin to an African Crowned Eagle, but just a bit smaller than a dragon. Rocs are considered to be an animal and not a monster. Rocs tend to eat meat, and sometimes farmers have to contend with them especially during the winter. Even with Rocs going into hibernation, when they wake up, the go on a feeding frenzy. Farmers normally sacrifice the older members of their livestock. A few farmers add very bright objects on their land, to help blind the rocs, as the roc's eye sight is extremely good. 

In mythology, a phoenix can come back to life after it does, Hence the saying, to rise like a phoenix. They are normally seen as fire birds, but their size can very from parrot to eagle size or a bit bigger. Some works, don't have their wings emit fire all of the time, but when the phoenix wants to. 

In my work, they are bigger than an eagle, about twice the size of an American Bald Eagle. They can come back to life after death, unless they are killed, and most of their body is missing, or magic is used to prevent them from coming back to life. Phoenix can be domesticated by the pure of heart. They can see the soul and it's morality by looking directly into one's eyes. While they are considered to be animal, they are actually part Fey as well. They have intellect, but not on par with what would be considered mortal standers.

It is considered taboo to kill Phoenix, as they are rare enough as it is, though this doesn't stop some from hunting them.

One more note, if supplied with enough heat, a phoenix can almost always rise from its ashes.