::–Vox recording recovered from Hive Cresson on Castobel.{{Fn|3}}
A '''Harpy''' is a large winged species of [[Tyranid]] comparable to a winged [[Trygon]]. They appear at the initial stages of Tyranid attacks working together with the similarly winged [[Gargoyles]].{{Fn|1a}}and other flying individuals of the Tyranid host
A Harpy has a long and sinuous body with massive leathery wings and a broad, armoured head. To better harness thermal currents, its body is hollow, resulting in it being relatively fragile compared to Tyranid creatures of similar size. However it has superior agility in their air than even technological fighter-crafts can manage. The Harpies undersides are covered in bloated cysts that can rain down [[Spore Mine]]s onto luckless prey. It can also emit an ear-splitting shriek that might rupture eardrums and is excruciatingly painful or even fatal, and at the very least causes disorientation. It may also be given [[twin-linked]] [[Stranglethorn Cannon]]s or , [[Heavy Venom Cannon]]sor [[Scything Talons]], equipped according to the tactical needs of the [[Hive Fleet]].{{Fn|1b}}{{Fn|3}} Opportunistic by nature, Harpies avoid protracted assaults, preferring instead strafing runs and swooping dives, or engaging enemy skimmers ill-suited to fighting back.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|3}} Their shriek is what gave them their name.{{Fn|3}}
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Magos Biologis of the Adeptus Mechanicus have argued whether Harpies and Trygons are closely related bio-forms or separate genuses in their own right. However, few comparative studies have been made, and to date, phylogenetic categorization remains highly speculative. Lending weight to the arguments of those taxonomists who classify the two life forms as distinct is the fact that, unlike the sturdy, heavily armoured carapace of the Trygon, the Harpy’s frame is relatively fragile (though still quite resilient by human standards). {{Fn|3}}
The Harpy, like many avian and other airborne fauna catalogued by Codiciers throughout the Imperium, is hollow-bodied and thus unable to survive injuries that might not even faze other Tyranid creatures of similar size. The Harpy, however, more than compensates for its lack of resilience with remarkable agility and manoeuvrability in the air. Reliable Imperial witnesses, including trusted members of the Aquilan Pluracy on the Tyranid-besieged planet of Castobel, have observed these creatures turning, climbing, and diving with far greater deftness and precision than even the most sophisticated fighter-craft of the Imperium.{{Fn|3}}
Harpies typically appear in the early phases of a Tyranid invasion alongside Gargoyles and other flying organisms of the Tyranid host. Perhaps owing to their lightly armoured frames, Harpies favour strafing, hit-and run attacks, rather than sustained assaults. Large cysts on the underside of the Harpy’s abdomen produce clusters of spore mines, which the Harpy drops on its foes to deadly effect. The Harpy’s arms boast a number of bio-weapons, such as Scything Talons and often a Stranglethorn or Heavy Venom Cannon. Survivors of attacks by Hive Fleet Jormungandr reported other bio-variants as well, though these accounts remain unconfirmed.{{Fn|3}}
In addition to this formidable arsenal, the Harpy can also stun and, in some cases, injure its opponents with the high-pitched shriek that gives this creature its name. Though Harpies generally eschew close combat unless the odds are stacked heavily in their favour, their scything talons make them terrifying opponents when they do engage in melee, particularly when their enemies are suffering from the disorienting effects of the Harpies’ sonic attacks.{{Fn|3}}
Field reports indicate that Harpies played a significant role in Hive Fleet Dagon’s initial attacks on the Fortress world of Hethgard, a key strategic location in the Orpheus Salient. Numerous Imperial combat personnel, including Adeptus Astartes of the Space Wolves and Storm Wardens chapters, recount witnessing skies all-but obscured by winged, screeching Tyranid creatures and entire mountainsides transformed into writhing, shimmering masses by untold thousands of gleaming carapaces of roosting Harpies. As Harpies function as the vanguard of a Tyranid host, the Deathwatch takes reports of sightings of these bio-forms very seriously and investigates them with extreme prejudice.{{Fn|3}}
Sonic Screech: The deafening high-frequency scream that gives the Harpy its name can disorient enemy troops, rupture eardrums, and in some cases, cause serious injuries and even fatalities.
Stinger Salvo: Embedded in the Harpy’s carapace are rows of metre-long, poisoned spines that the creature can fire by means of incredibly strong muscle contractions to rain a shower of deadly missiles into the ranks of the foe.
Cluster Spines: Some Harpy variants possess Cluster Spines mounted in their carapaces in lieu of Stinger Salvo missiles. Cluster Spines are similar in appearance to the Stinger Salvo projectiles and are fired with the same type of powerful muscle contractions. However, instead of relying on toxins to slay the enemy, Cluster Spines explode upon impact, showering a large area with needle-like shards. Like Stinger Salvoes, Cluster Spines are effective anti-infantry weapons. {{Fn|3}}
==Previous editions==
