A cockatrice is a magical creature resembling a rooster with a lizard's tail. During the 1792 Triwizard Tournament, one of the tasks involved capturing a cockatrice. Unfortunately, the cockatrice broke free, and went on a rampage that injured the Heads of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and the Durmstrang Institute.

Etymology

The cockatrice takes its name from both cock (rooster) and crocodile (old French, cocatris).

Behind the scenes

• The cockatrice is a creature from medieval legends. First described in the twelfth century, it is often described as a two-legged dragon with a rooster's head. The terms basilisk and cockatrice are often used interchangeably in modern translations of some legends, though it's obvious the two are different creatures in the Harry Potter universe.^[1]
• In the Spanish version of the book, the cockatrice is translated as basilisco, which, in fact, means basilisk.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First mentioned)

Notes and references