Lanius was the only son of Mergus of Avornis. Because Mergus had no male heirs, and went to great lengths to ensure his son was his successor, Lanius' eventual ascent to the throne was difficult, as he was displaced by his uncle, Scolpax for a time, then kept under the tight control of his mother, Certhia, before finally being forced to share the monarchy with a soldier named Grus. Nine months later, Certhia gave birth to their son, whom Mergus promptly named Lanius. He married Certhia within minutes of Lanius' birth, making her queen. Lanius himself was rather small and scrawny.