Putting aside a history lesson, they are an enemy who infuses a certain style into most of their actions, both leisure and militant. They believe that functionality is no excuse for a lack of elegance and beauty.

As such, using a non indigenous species such as that bird [Was it a bird? It hovered like an insect... He checks her expression for correction before moving on.] as a vector for some flesh melting virus would be something expected.

You may wish to be careful, or at least choosy enough that we can float the idea Gregor has a menagerie.