I thought this comparison would be interesting to point out. I watched a Sinbad episode a long time ago (some of you guys probably know what I am talking about, this show used to air in the late 90s) and I must say, there is this sorceress named Maeve and she also has a brother named Dermott who was a human before he became a hawk. The only difference is, a spell was cast on him causing his death but it turns out that he did not actually die but turned into a hawk. But of-course no one knows that he is her brother. The hawk seems to look after her a lot and shows a lot of affection in almost every episode he is in.
Maeve:
Maeve is a Celtic sorceress, who is skilled in the arts of magic. She has a fiery personality and initially does not get along well with Sinbad, but later they become soulmates. She was only featured in the first season. The first episode for season two has her swept off the Nomad in the midst of a tempest, and it is later discovered the long-lost wizard Dim-Dim took her away to protect her from Rumina, a sorceress and a long-time foe of both Sinbad and Maeve.
Dermott:
Dermott is a very intelligent hawk that joins the crew with Maeve. It is later discovered Dermott is Maeve's brother, under a spell cast by Rumina.