In the Beforeworld, ravens were famously intelligent creatures. Members of the species infected by the Burning Plague are the even more intelligent flame raven.
Appearance:
Flame ravens are very similar to their non-mutated cousins in appearance, usually around 2 feet long, with black iridescent feathers. The main visible difference between ravens and afterravens is the bright feathers on the underside of their bellies and wings, lingering marks of the Burning Plague. These feathers are metallic rust or brown on males and an iridescent gold or red on females. The patterns of these feathers is genetic, and most flame ravens inherit a pattern or combination of patterns from their parents. Often, there is a commonality in patterns amongst a flock.
Diet:
The flame raven is an omnivore, willing to eat nearly anything they can. However, they tend to prefer meat, often scavenging from dead bodies. They are known to eat berries and fruits as treats, and seem particularly fond of redstar berries.
Behavior:
One of the most notable behaviors of the flame raven is how it interacts with humans. They are incredibly intelligent creatures that can understand human speech and often will trade with humans for things they want or need. Furthermore, they are known to find ways to communicate clearly with humans. For people who know how to interact with them, it's fairly easy to befriend a flame raven. Once a flame raven has bonded with a human, they will then assist that human by bringing them things they need and warning them of danger.
Most flame ravens live in flocks that roost together, which range in size from twelve to forty birds. In these flocks, certain adults help care for the young, sick, injured, and elderly. In fact, flame raven flocks are noted for having divisions of labor. Some birds will hunt and gather, some will expand the nesting complex, and some will guard the flock. Flocks that are near humans or other flocks have also been recorded to have birds that act as diplomats and traders.
Life Cycle:
Flame ravens lay one to four eggs per clutch, which usually hatch after three to four weeks. These hatchlings are usually featherless, with a few tufts of down. By around two weeks old, flame ravens are fully covered in down, and have begun to making chirpy noises, similar to the call of a sparrow or finch. At this stage, they are considered nestlings.
At the six month mark, the flight feathers begin to come in. This is when a flame raven is considered a fledgling. During this period, fledgling flame ravens begin learning and practicing the movements they'll need to master to be able to fly. They also are known to play games with each other in this stage.
A flame raven becomes an adolescent at around eighteen months old. This is when they begin to hunt and gather food with the adults in their flock. Additionally, an adolescent flame raven may start learning other skills needed for other tasks, so they can find a niche within their flock at adulthood. Technically, they have reached physical maturity at this stage, although they still cannot reproduce.
Adulthood for a flame raven is around three years old, and when they reach mental and sexual maturity. At this time, flame ravens settle into a niche within the flock, finding a task they excel at. Oftentimes, they will find a mate between the ages of four to six, who they will stay with for the rest of their life.
Habitat:
Most flame ravens live in forested areas, or ruins that have been overtaken by forests. They prefer warmer regions with high humidity levels and a large variety of plants and animals for them to eat. Flame ravens build large, sprawling complexes of nests, which are usually connected to each other by a woven "bridge" of sorts.
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