[MR] Urgent Heraldry Question

[Liam Welwyn]

Greetings!

I'm certain there are heralds out there who can help me with this as 
we're trying to finish up some shields for Crown Tourney.

If someone has listed for his/her device " and a Phoenix Or" as the 
only description of the phoenix, how should the phoenix be displayed 
(aside from the obvious answer of "in gold")?

Is the head facing a certain way, should the body be positioned a 
certain way, what visible differentiation is there for a phoenix from 
some other bird?

Any help appreciated.

William Welwyn
Baron of Nottinghill Coill