Wynyth

"They are amongst some of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen. Changing multicolored feathers and eyes of frosted lakes with tail feathers that show all the shades of a rainbow with a beak the most delicate shade of cream. Yet their song sounds more like a screech- the kind of grating sound you only achieve by dragging a blade across stone- and ill tempered! I attempted to draw close enough to inspect what it was eating and the creature took great offense and told me so through a thorough scratching."

-From the research notes of Master Hunter Xion
Wynyth or rainbow birds, are beautiful, oversized, flightless birds that dwell all across the lands of Ophidia and in several parts of Commeria. Although they are incredibly beautiful to behold- they are also aggressive, ill-tempered and extremely loud. Wynyth feathers are traditionally the only quill used in the Elvish vestia.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Wynyth are large, flightless birds that are capable of changing colors according to their environment. They have long, delicate wings that are incapable of carrying them in flight and even longer tail feathers which are used to attract mates. They have relatively small beaks but lengthy claws which they use to defend both themselves and their nests.

Genetics and Reproduction

Females lay clutches of large iridescent eggs that measure up to 7 to 8 inches long which are guarded and incubated for around sixty days by the males. Females, after laying the eggs, have nothing to do with the raising of chicks, preferring instead to find another male to reproduce with to leave another clutch.

Growth Rate & Stages

Young wynyth remain in the nest for around nine months before venturing off on their own. Young males seek out their own territories and females. Males mate with their female for life, although the female will take multiple partners according to their own roaming territory.

Ecology and Habitats

Wynyth are found in two subspecies- the Jegalan wynyth and the Northern wynyth. Northern wynyth- native to the Betweenlands, northern Ophidia and the lowlands of Tiānguó- prefer colder temperatures due to the down layer that exist beneath their standard layer of feathers found on both species. The Jegalan wynyth is found primarily on the continent of Commeria- but some have made their homes in the islands of Mokupuni O'Ekolu as well. This species lacks the down layer of their cousins.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Wynyth are omnivores although primarily frugivorous, but will dine on small prey such as frogs, worms, rats, mice and even carrion when they are unable to find their preferred fruits.

Biological Cycle

Males keep territories of around 5 miles, sometimes overlapping with the territory of other males and although they don't tend to migrate in a traditional sense, they are more often found in their northern territory in spring and summer and in their southern territory in winter. Females have a territory of up to 20 miles with which they zealously guard and are actively more aggressive than males towards other females. They follow a similar pattern although in early summertime females travel the most as they attempt to mate with and lay as many clutches of eggs as possible.

Additional Information

Domestication

Wynyth are commonly domesticated for their beautiful feathers, although they are difficult birds to keep. Females, even ones that have been raised together, become extremely aggressive towards one another once reaching sexual maturity, so only a single female per flock can be kept. Ill tempered birds, they are known for frequently attacking their keepers and require being raised from birth to avoid as much injury as possible. In addition, they are extremely vocal birds and have nothing short of an ear piercing and incredibly aggravating screech. Despite this, wynyth feathers are always in high demand due to their beauty and perhaps because of the difficulty of keeping these birds. Their meat is incredibly tough so they are never kept for food sources- most scholars say if you were to boil the carcass of a wynyth with a boulder, the boulder would sooner be ready to eat. However their eggs are incredibly delicious and the shells are thick. They have traditionally been used in medicine by many natives through grinding up the shell- although nowadays a boiled shell can often be sold for fair amounts of money for its beauty.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Wynyth appear to be able to change the colors of their feathers according to their surrounding and seemingly at a whim- as males can often be seen shifting shades to show off for females. Despite it primarily being observed for mating rituals, females also will change shades seemingly at whim.

Lifespan

40-50 years

Average Height

5-7ft.

Average Weight

100-130lbs.

Geographic Distribution

• Betweenlands
• Commeria
• Mokupuni O'Ekolu
• Ophidia
• Yānyû