Deathbird is an alien possessing superior metabolism, giving her approximately a twenty times greater endurance level than a human being. Using her wings that span 18 feet, she is capable of level fleight at any height at which she is still able to breathe, at a maximum speed through an Earth-type atmosphere of 63 miles per hour and remain aloft for up to 6 hours before exhausting. The feathers in the dorsal primary and secondary areas of both wings each have very sharp, spur-like vanes capable of inflicting light lacerations. Deathbird also possesses talon-like fingernails of extraordinary tensile strength. She can use them to slice through wood, glass, and to score steel.

She is the leader of the intergalactic group known as the Starjammers. When the X-Ternals and Jonath were being assaulted by the Imperial Guard on the planet Ch'reesharaa, Deathbird had Gambit and his followers teleported aboard the Starjammers ship. From there, Deathbird escorted the X-Ternals to the planet Shi'ar where the M'kraan Crystal was being held. She and Gambit went inside the M'kraan after Lila Cheney unwillingly entered the heart of the crystal. While inside, she was stunned by the crystal and it is presumed that she remained there until the crystal consumed her.

In our reality, Deathbird was the first born to the ruling family of the Shi'ar. Unlike her younger siblings, D'Ken and Lilandra, Deathbird possessed atavistic characteristics and was denied her birthright as heir to the throne, an honor bestowed upon her younger brother D'Ken. For crimes against the state, Deathbird was exiled into space. Later, she allied herself with the alien Brood and returned to the Shi'ar homeworld to wrest control of the empire from her brother D'Ken. Despite the efforts of Lilandra's loyal Imperial Guard, Deathbird succeeded and ruled as empress of the Shi'ar.

Afterwards, Lilandra would join with the space pirates known as the Starjammers and helped foster a rebellion. With the help of the Starjammers and the X-Men, Deathbird was toppled and Lilandra reassumed the throne. Deathbird was extended an uneasy truce, and she became Lilandra's reluctant and ruthless right-hand confidante. Later, during an invasion of the Shi'ar Empire by the shape-changing alien Skrulls, Deathbird elicited help from the X-Men in restoring order to the empire. Later still, Deathbird got help from the X-Men again when the Shi'ar were nearly decimated by the alien Phalanx. Together with the time tossed X-Man Bishop, she was able to save the Shi'ar children.