Warbeak, Queen

Gender: female

Species: sparrow

Appears In: Redwall and Mattimeo




Warbeak is a young member of the Sparra tribe who lives with them in the Roof. She is the daughter of Greytail and Dunwing, and niece of Bull. She participates in attacking Jess when the squirrel climbs up to search the weathervane for Martin's sword, but they are in turn assaulted by some arrows from Basil and Matthias with one of the missiles striking Warbeak through her leg. She plummets to the earth below and is saved by Matthias (who fired the arrow) but immediately imprisoned when she becomes aggressive and refuses to divulge any information. As they need vital clues as to the whereabouts of Martin's sword, Methuselah tricks her into revealing that Bull stole the weapon from the weathervane by bribing her with candied chestnuts. This somewhat convinces her to help Matthias climb up to the Roof, however during the trip she tries to attack him but fails and he pushes her off the edge of a sandstone ledge. As she has a brick toggle tied around one of her legs she cannot fly away, and while holding onto the collar around her neck Matthias threatens to release his grip unless she promises to be nice. Aware that her life is in great danger, Warbeak agrees and they end up becoming good friends. When they arrive inside the court Matthias is at first sentenced to execution by Bull but Dunwing (who has learned that the young mouse saved her daughter's life) steps in, offering to take him. Dunwing later helps to trick her brother into leaving the place with the other sparrows so that Matthias can escape, stealing Martin's scabbard in the process. Warbeak later succeeds her uncle as leader after he dies while trying to stop Matthias from fleeing, and she becomes the youngest-ever Queen. She gathers her entire tribe of at least one thousand birds, helps in defeating Cluny's horde during the final battle, and the loft in which they live is renamed Warbeak Loft in her honour. Eight seasons later she leads her warriors in flying off in separate directions to deliver an important message to Matthias's group who are pursuing Slagar, as this information will help them in their search for the kidnapped youngsters. Unfortunately after her departure, Ironbeak's flock invades the loft and kills any remaining sparrows. Her group locates Matthias's band as they are fighting the Longtail Horde, but while the vermin are defeated she is struck and killed by one of their arrows. Matthias grieves heavily over her untimely death, and after she is covered in leaves for her burial he vows to avenge his dear friend. She is later succeeded by Harry.