Kites

The Kite is an animal present in Shadow of the Colossus, being one of the most common species in the Forbidden Lands.

They fly about in most open areas. Often they will follow Wander, sometimes more than one at a time, while Wander is riding on Agro. If Wander stands still in an open area with kites and wait, one will likely swoop down nearby. Kites can be grabbed and ridden through the air for a short while. They can also be killed by arrows.

Trivia

• It should be noted that, though elusive, a particularly large kite can be found just south of the 10th colossus' cave. If one attempts to ride it, he will usually fly out over a very deep chasm and proceed upwards to very high altitudes for several minutes, so a considerable amount of stamina is recommended before attempting so. The player is able to ride it, like other kites. To do so, stand on the large rock by the gorge in line with the massive tree on top of the cave entrance. Every so often, it will fly out over the gorge. When it flies over Wander, press to jump, and hold to grab it. Be warned, though, that there is a good chance that when Wander falls off of him, Wander will land in the gorge, which will deprive him of all his remaining health.
  • Two other kites of the same size can be found in quadrants D5 and H6.
• A kite is focused on in both the beginning and endings scenes of Shadow of the Colossus, and the flight of one will be shown with "Sky Burial" from the game's soundtrack playing if the main menu is left idle long enough and the game was completed at least once. In the NTSC version of the PS2 game, the theme "The Farthest Land" will play instead.
• Although commonly referred to as hawks, it is more likely that these birds are actually a species of Kite, as their physical morphology is more slender than that of most hawk species. Most particularly, the shape of their wingspan is not broad and plank-like but curved. The most concrete evidence, however, is their model name which is indeed "kite".
• At the end of the credits sequence, the flying kite will cry out before the screen turns to black. Although in the PS4 remake, it does not make a sound for unknown reasons.

Gallery

The kite in the PS4 remake.

A kite flying over Wander in the game's PS4 remake.