Searched for clarification on this simple question, but could not find it.

Can you use Polymorph spell to turn yourself/others into a Stirge, Blink Dog, or similar?

Polymorph can only transform into a beast of the target's CR/level or lower. Stirge and Blink Dogs are not beasts, from what I recall.

True Polymorph can transform into any creature, but of course that's a 9th level spell.

Anything that is a beast. So stirge yes, blink dog no.

Stirge isn't worth while.  My favorite small flying creature is a bat because you get blindsight.   Great to see through non-auditory illusions and see invisible people.

Quote from Mog_Dracov >>

Stirge isn't worth while.  My favorite small flying creature is a bat because you get blindsight.   Great to see through non-auditory illusions and see invisible people.

But aren't you also as smart dumb as a bat then? You take on the mental abilities of the beast, which is 2 for a bat.

How much do you enforce the low int on characters that dump that stat?

But it is besides the point.  I turn bat either to see invisible or to fly away in the dark.  Neither situation really requires much intelligence.  As a bat, I can't cast spells, all I really do is fly through illusions, circle above invisible creatures or run away as fast as I can.   An int of 2 is enough to do those things.