I fail to see how you can get damaged from being 'manhandled' when I can beat enemies with you over and over again and you be perfectly fine.

Yes, Akiha was a little snippy as she landed, wincing and hopping on her good foot for a moment. She hopped out of the bird's range as it flailed in an attempt to get up and gingerly put her foot down. Testing it, she bore the pain as she carefully approached the crow.

I remember bird bones being hollow, but what about their skulls?