Frogbird
The Frogbird was an aquatic bird native to the Alweald Swamplands.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Frogbirds were featherless birds with long arms and webbed feet. They had little to no neck and had wide short beaks. Their eyes were small and beady.
Genetics and Reproduction
Frogbirds attracted mates with their shrill croaking songs, which most humanoids would have described as unpleasant. When a mate arrived the male did a elaborate mating dance which mostly involved hopping up and down around the female. After matting the pair nest together inside of a hollow tree on the shore, where the female lays 3 gold coloured eggs.
Ecology and Habitats
Frogbirds were semi-aquatic birds that lived in marsh pools. They primarily lived of fish which they caught by diving into the pools and opening their wide beaks before swimming back up again with the use of their webbed feet. Forgbirds were able to hold their breath for 30 minute. When not hunting they lived on the shores, and made their nests inside of hollow fallen tree logs.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The frogbird was hunted both for its meat, which resembled the flavour of smoked eel, and because of its gold coloured eggs. It was believed that these eggs were made out of pure gold, although on closer inspection one would seem that it was only it's colouring. Still they were popular with aristocratic woman for the purpose of decorating during luncheons.
Civilization and Culture
History
After being discovered by the Madamsresters in the year 1300 the frogbird was overhunted to virtual extinction. But the last frogbird was killed in 1370 when it was captured by Flavo Sjoerd. He was tasked by the Khargan dragon-princess Myn-Xara to capture the frogbird for her royal feast. Flavo Sjoerd discovered the foundational methodology of archaeology while searching for the frogbird and was rewarded his own university for this.
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