Avian Biology
Keywords:
AVIAN-BIOLOGY, AVIAN-WINGS, AVIAN-TAIL
Category:
race
Avians, as unique as they are on the outside, are even more fascinating within. They have extra organs, hollow bones, modified muscles, and more. Very rarely does any avian possess breasts, and when they do, they are small and nonfunctional because they are oviparous. Both sexes have cloaca. Avians hatch from eggs. Eggs take three weeks to form in the mother and five months to hatch after laying. While the egg is in the mother, the mother is considered �gravid�, not �pregnant�. Avian children are called �hatchlings� and reach adulthood at sixteen years of age. Avians, on average, reach a death of old age at around 60 to 70 years old. Their prime years are between 20 and 30.
Their skeletal systems have hollow bones reinforced with internal struts. Additional air is stored in them for buoyancy and stamina. Though they are hollow, they remain strong, and though they are easier to break, they still can take a good blunt-force blow just fine. A large sternum bone in their chest supports flight muscles and gives them a big-chested profile. They have room for two pairs of pectorals and short tails.
Avians with beaks have specific shapes for specific diets, with hooked beaks indicating a more carnivorous inclination and smaller ones indicating a preference for fruits, nuts, and insects. Long and thin beaks indicate a fish-eater. Rarely, an avian has their beak stored in their throat. These avians can retract their teeth to bring the beak into view for eating, combat, and intimidation. One can tell an avian has a hidden beak if their teeth appear unusually clean because then the teeth are just for speaking and smiling.
Avians tend to have gizzards. Those that do regurgitate pellets after eating in a process they call �paything�. All avians, however, have eleven air sacs around their bodies, including some in the throat and wings. These air sacs allow improved respiration and stamina for flight. Because of these, avians do not move much when they breathe, which means an unconscious avian often appears quite dead and should be tested for life in other ways.
Some avians have iridescent feathers. This iridescence appears in one to three different colors and is very, very rare. It�s considered very attractive to other avians but tends to make the avian stand out and hiding can be difficult. There is a black market for iridescent avian feathers due to their size, beauty, and rarity.
On Avian Feathers and Feathered Features
Head: Communication, insulation, intimidation, display
Body: Insulation
Wings and Tail: Flight, insulation, communication, intimidation, display
All of these feather groups are crucial on an avian and without them, the avian is considered disabled. Some have additional feathers on their arms, legs, hands, and feet. These help with insulation and stealth but aren�t very common. The shape and texture of wing and tail feathers also affect their abilities and even lifestyle.
Wings
Long and broad wings: This avian soars frequently. They are fairly agile but have a hard time taking off in some scenarios. Avians with these wings tend to be powerful. (Passive soaring: Eagles, hawks, vultures, etc)
Long and narrow wings: This avian flaps frequently. They are agile, fast, and are great at dive-bombing. These avians tend to be cunning and perceptive. (High speed: Falcons, macaws, parrots, swifts, etc)
Short and round wings: This avian flaps frequently. They are agile, fast, and can take off the best at any time. These avians are quick to react, nervous, and often energetic. (Elliptical: Songbirds, corvids, etc)
Short and narrow wings: This avian is incapable of soaring. They must constantly flap to stay aloft. They�re stereotyped as happy-go-lucky, big hearted, and emotional. (Hovering: Hummingbirds)
Tails
Fanned and square tails: These tails are well-balanced and go with pretty much any wings.
Forked tails: These tails are usually paired with high speed and hovering wings as they help with agility.
Wedged tails: These tails are often paired with elliptical wings due to the extra lift they provide.
Train tails: There is a common myth that these decorative and colorful tails are heavy and impede flight. This is not actually true. They�re often found with elliptical wings.
feather Types
Soft feathers: These prevent air from audibly whooshing and help an avian fly silently, but slowly.
Silky feathers: These are loud yet strong feathers that aid in flying at high speeds.
Oily feathers: Though considered unattractive, oily feathers are waterproof and allow an avian to swim well.
Note that some avians have additional long and decorative feathers on their wings. They sometimes impact flight performance in various ways but help the avian stand out even more.
Their skeletal systems have hollow bones reinforced with internal struts. Additional air is stored in them for buoyancy and stamina. Though they are hollow, they remain strong, and though they are easier to break, they still can take a good blunt-force blow just fine. A large sternum bone in their chest supports flight muscles and gives them a big-chested profile. They have room for two pairs of pectorals and short tails.
Avians with beaks have specific shapes for specific diets, with hooked beaks indicating a more carnivorous inclination and smaller ones indicating a preference for fruits, nuts, and insects. Long and thin beaks indicate a fish-eater. Rarely, an avian has their beak stored in their throat. These avians can retract their teeth to bring the beak into view for eating, combat, and intimidation. One can tell an avian has a hidden beak if their teeth appear unusually clean because then the teeth are just for speaking and smiling.
Avians tend to have gizzards. Those that do regurgitate pellets after eating in a process they call �paything�. All avians, however, have eleven air sacs around their bodies, including some in the throat and wings. These air sacs allow improved respiration and stamina for flight. Because of these, avians do not move much when they breathe, which means an unconscious avian often appears quite dead and should be tested for life in other ways.
Some avians have iridescent feathers. This iridescence appears in one to three different colors and is very, very rare. It�s considered very attractive to other avians but tends to make the avian stand out and hiding can be difficult. There is a black market for iridescent avian feathers due to their size, beauty, and rarity.
On Avian Feathers and Feathered Features
Head: Communication, insulation, intimidation, display
Body: Insulation
Wings and Tail: Flight, insulation, communication, intimidation, display
All of these feather groups are crucial on an avian and without them, the avian is considered disabled. Some have additional feathers on their arms, legs, hands, and feet. These help with insulation and stealth but aren�t very common. The shape and texture of wing and tail feathers also affect their abilities and even lifestyle.
Wings
Long and broad wings: This avian soars frequently. They are fairly agile but have a hard time taking off in some scenarios. Avians with these wings tend to be powerful. (Passive soaring: Eagles, hawks, vultures, etc)
Long and narrow wings: This avian flaps frequently. They are agile, fast, and are great at dive-bombing. These avians tend to be cunning and perceptive. (High speed: Falcons, macaws, parrots, swifts, etc)
Short and round wings: This avian flaps frequently. They are agile, fast, and can take off the best at any time. These avians are quick to react, nervous, and often energetic. (Elliptical: Songbirds, corvids, etc)
Short and narrow wings: This avian is incapable of soaring. They must constantly flap to stay aloft. They�re stereotyped as happy-go-lucky, big hearted, and emotional. (Hovering: Hummingbirds)
Tails
Fanned and square tails: These tails are well-balanced and go with pretty much any wings.
Forked tails: These tails are usually paired with high speed and hovering wings as they help with agility.
Wedged tails: These tails are often paired with elliptical wings due to the extra lift they provide.
Train tails: There is a common myth that these decorative and colorful tails are heavy and impede flight. This is not actually true. They�re often found with elliptical wings.
feather Types
Soft feathers: These prevent air from audibly whooshing and help an avian fly silently, but slowly.
Silky feathers: These are loud yet strong feathers that aid in flying at high speeds.
Oily feathers: Though considered unattractive, oily feathers are waterproof and allow an avian to swim well.
Note that some avians have additional long and decorative feathers on their wings. They sometimes impact flight performance in various ways but help the avian stand out even more.