Birds of Play

Falcons/Eagles, Pelicans/Seaguls, Owls, and Vultures. Each to their respective biomes. Perhaps each one has a unique purpose. You would craft a leather glove to put in your off hand and the player would launch and recall them whenever you need. Eagles/Falcons could maybe counter phantoms. Vultures could counter zombies and their variants. Owls could hunt and retrieve small animals like foxes and rabbits. Maybe to kill them and bring back remains or to just bring the small mobs to you for you to tame. Pelicans/Seagulls would do dives on the water and bring back fish or maybe be similar to dolphins and point out wrecked ships. Also seagulls making noises would be hilarious. Maybe the player could only hold one bird at a time and it would be in place of the shield.