Taité Parrot (TAI-tay)

"Write about a service animal in your world: what do they help with? How difficult are they to train?"

Taité parrots are small birds native to the southern half of Phicen, but ones kept as pets can be found all over the continent, as well as on Vriddasa. They are known for being quite vocal and highly skilled at mimicking speech; some wild taités that live in large cities have been known to learn how to say "hello" or "pretty bird" in whatever the most common local language is. They are also known for their intelligence, recognizing the faces of those who feed and are kind to them, as well as those who are not kind. Taités have been found to be quite vindictive, teaching their flockmates which people are dangerous and ganging up on them, whether through following them around issuing loud, obnoxious alarm-calls, or dropping small pebbles on them. It is for this reason that a group of taités is called a gossip.

Color Types

Taités most commonly have green bodies with white tummies, blue accents around the eyes, and yellow bibs, and this is how they most commonly appear in the wild, although pet taités have been known to escape and introduce certain color mutations cultivated by breeders into wild populations. Some of the most common color mutations are:

• Amethyst (pale purple body with grey head and white tummy)
• Sunglow (solid yellow)
• Indigo (blue body with black head and tummy)
• Watermelon (green and red body with black head)
• Onyx (melanistic; solid black)
• Opal (albino; solid white)

Their natural color is referred to as their 'traditional' color. Some breeders have also bred them for greater quantity of semiplume feathers, giving them a slightly fluffier appearance which people find endearing, but some breeders find this practice distasteful, as it also creates additional insulation.

Basic Information

Dietary Needs and Habits

Taités are granivorous, with their diets consisting largely of small seeds such as grass seeds. They may also enjoy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, mangoes, bell peppers, or sweet potatoes, as a treat. They require regular access to clean water.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Taités are quite affectionate, both with members of their flock and humanoid companions, often assisting with preening or offering them food. They are also quite social, and in captivity are happiest and healthiest with at least one additional taité companion.

Average Intelligence

Highly intelligent; taités have been shown to be good problem solvers, as well as being able to learn numerous words and commands, and even how to differentiate and count paper currency according to their value. They are also quite independent, and so are known to disobey or ignore commands if their care is neglected.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

It has recently been discovered that taités seem to have an innate homing ability. While it was already known that taités are generally capable of navigating within a few miles of their home with relative ease, recent studies have suggested they are more capable navigators than previously thought. The farthest they've been confirmed to be able to be able to navigate from is 15 miles; studies are still ongoing to determine just how far their homing ability extends.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

They cannot fully understand languages, but may be taught to recognize and even mimic up to one hundred words given enough time and repetition.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

One of the most common avian pets, taités are a rather well-known species. Their high intelligence has also allowed them to be trained as service animals for those who are blind or otherwise visually impaired. They are quite skilled at mimicking speech and will use learned words to assist with locating objects and alerting their companions to obstacles. They begin their training at approximately 3 months old, and it will continue for one year. Supplemental training may be done once they've been paired with a companion to fit their specific needs.

Handle Taité Gently by illumiinae with Midjourney

Lifespan

15-20 years

Conservation Status

Quite common, needs no protection

Average Weight

2.5 ounces (70 grams)

Average Length

7 inches (18cm)

Name for a group
A gossip of taités

Taité Parrot

Tiny beast, neutral

Armor Class: 13

Hit Points: 1d4-1

Speed: 5 ft , fly: 50 ft

STR

2 -4

DEX

16 +3

CON

8 -1

INT

5 -3

WIS

10 +0

CHA

8 -1

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Echolalia. Taités can repeat short phrases, typically no more than five words, which they have heard throughout the day. They may learn slightly longer phrases if they hear them repeated numerous times. While they are able to mimic things like intonation to a certain degree, they are not capable of true vocal mimicy.
Familiar. With the DM's permission, the find familiar spell can summon a taité.
Flyby. The taité doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Actions

Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 slashing damage.

Suggested Environments

Urban, forest