Birigon

"When on the road, your Birigon is your closet companion. Just you and the open skies. I was 15 when my parents bought me this gorgeous coffee colored chick. I've raised her since she was a baby and now Mocha is like my best friend. She's the only one who will put up with me for more than a day."

— Faerin Leyrick's Tour of the Floating Isles.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Birigon are a small species of Dragon with feathers and other bird-like features. The resemble known creatures like ostriches or the ancient archaeopteryx.
Though they are small for a dragon, they are sill quite large, being larger than most horses and standing at almost 9 feet. The have large backs and strudy muscular legs that allow them to easily carry a person. They're massive wings allso allow them to take flight even with a passenger.
Birigon snouts resemble beaks as they lack feathers. Their mouths are full of sharp fangs they use to chop down and tear prey apart. Their long talons also aid in catching and killing prey. Both males and females grow large horns on their hair that curve in an a S shape, that are used for ramming larger creatures in threatening situations.
Their heads are attatched to long, flexible necks which allows them to see at many angles with out moving from their spot. They also have a long feathered tail that helps them balance when they are running or taking flight.

Coloration

Birigon have been bred to have a more varied coat palette, and can come in a wide variety of colors. Breeding has also preferred birigon with less aggressive temperaments.

by IbbyWondrous

Genetics and Reproduction

Birigon mothers will lay up to 3 or 4 eggs every breeding season. If the eggs aren't fertilized, they are typically taken and used for food. If they are fertilized, the eggs will have splotch like markings to indicate so. The splotches usually indicate the coloration of the baby, making breeding easy.
The mother will usually watch over her eggs until they hatch, and then care for the hatchlings for a short period of time.
Non fertalized eggs tend to have fragile shells, while fertilized eggs will grow a thicker layer of shell to protect the baby.

Growth Rate & Stages

Birigon are born with feathers, however not all of them. They will tend to have very patchy feather growth upon hatching. By the time the rest of their feathers grow, they are usually old enough to be independent of their mother.
In domesticated Birigon, its common for eggs to be sold to aspiring Birigon owners, where it is their job to care for and raise the hatchling. This is because birigon are notoriously hard to train if not used to humans at an early age. A birigon owner has to form a bond with their dragon for then to work together efficiently.
It takes about five or six years for a birigon to reach maturity and they are not ridable until then, so taking in a chick is a big commitment.

Ecology and Habitats

Birigon can live in most conditions, even though they are native to the deserts of A'ramel Alshiu, where you'll find many wild Birigon wandering the sands.
It's a good idea however to try to keep them warm. Birigon are harder to care for in colder regions, and the cold weather will often mess up their breeding patterns, meaning eggs often have to be imported from warmer regions.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Birigon are carnivores and eat small mammals and birds such as chickens, foxes or rabbits. It's recommended to keep Birigon away from other pets like cats or small dogs, as it's likely the Birigon will try to eat them.

Biological Cycle

Birigon will molt feathers once a year during the warmer season. They will often spend a lot of that time preening to get the excess feathers out.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Birigon have large eyes that give it excellant eyesight for hunting. It also has a very strong since of smell. It's hearing is not so great and they usually only respond to loud sounds like yelling or whistling. More often commands need to be touch based for them to be effective.

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Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dragon

Scientific Name

Draco plumaequus

Lifespan

40-50 years

Average Height

9ft - 9'6ft

Average Weight

270-300lbs

Domestication

Fantasmians have used Birigon to ride and pull things for centuries. For the average rider, having a birigon is important for travel, as it can fly over gaps in the islands that my not have bridges. They are one of the few dragon species that have been domesticated.

Uses

Like most creatures, you can often sell their parts as ingredients for potions, such as their feathers, teeth and horns. Their meat is also technically edible, but it's considered taboo to kill and eat a birigon, as they are scene more are pets and companions. Birigon parts are typically only retrieved from ones that have already died from natural causes or injury.
Their eggs can be used as a source of food. It's easy to tell if an egg is edible or not by it's coloration. Splotches mean an egg is fertile and will hatch into a baby. The plain white ones are the ones that are safe to eat.

Intelligence and Temperament

Birigon are surprisingly intelligent and easy to train. They can learn basic commends and a few novelty tricks. They easily recognize their owners and their emotions, and will often be protective of them as if they are their own young.
Birigon can be temperamental and throw tantrums if they are upset. Some birigon will refuse to listen to commands when they are angry. Rarely will they bite or harm their owner unless they truly feel threatened.