Stryk Redkite

Gender: female

Species: red kite

Appears In: Mattimeo




Stryk is a very large resident of the Northern Mountains who lives here with her family in a nest resting on a small branch on the mountainside. She is the mate of Skine, mother of May, and has a thick northern accent. When the rotting branch suddenly snaps she falls down the cliffside and breaks her wing in the process, laying here for many days until hunger forces her to fly for help. She manages to head south to Mossflower where she spots Redwall, though she collapses on the grounds from exhaustion. Ironbeak's flock immediately attack her but she is rescued by Constance, who pulls her into Foremole's tunnels to safety. She is tended to by John and May, who heal her wing but warn her it will take some time to recover. Stryk does not agree to this and constantly attempts to fly but is always stopped by the Redwallers. A few days later Ironbeak's birds break through the Cavern Hole barricade and imprison the inhabitants inside their own home, with the raven General cruelly attacking May when she charges at him. He is stopped by the timely arrival of Stryk, whose wing has miraculously healed, and the two birds engage in an aerial battle. She kills Ironbeak following a brief struggle, returns to her mountain home, and some time later she visits Redwall with her mate and daughter (named in honour of Sister May). Along with Bluddbeak, Stryk and her family are the only red kites to appear in the series.