Pipika

I like it. It tastes great... I like their eggs as well.

— A person living on Areu

The Pipika is a large bird native to Areu. It's one out of very few species still naturally inhabiting the planet. They are very resilient. Because of their size they are only domesticated in the settlement of Nessa. They are kept for their meat and their eggs. They usually live for around 20-30 years.

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Anatomy

They have large feather-ful bodies, short legs, long necks, and large beaks. Their eyes are beady and dark. Their beaks are orange, and their body feathers are blue, white, and black. Some are also completely green or black. The blue ones are more common in captivity.

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Habitat

In captivity, they live in a factory farm setting. In the wild, they live in small caves. However, if they were to be set free, the domesticated birds would not be able to live in the wild anymore.

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Dietary needs

Pipikas are omnivores that pick at the ground to eat seeds, insects, small reptiles, and small mammals. The domesticated ones eat seeds, and small mammals bred by those caring for them.

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Reproduction

The female Pipika produces eggs without the presence of a male Pipika. These eggs are not fertile and will not produce a Pipika. That's why they are used as food. The eggs will be fertile when a male Pipika is present and reproduces with the female Pipika.

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The companies

Three small companies have employees taking care of Pipikas around Nessa. These three companies provide The Station and the small settlement, Nessa, with eggs and meat. These companies are in direct competition, and many employees have been caught fighting in the bars across the settlement. Some think the companies should merge to make the settlement more peaceful. However, many do not want them to. There being three companies fighting are keeping the prices of eggs and meat down.