Kukroi
A species of avian humanoid commonly seen around the universe, if often for... less than stellar reasons, the kukroi are striking feathered humanoids. They are also commonly, if often derogatively, referred to as sirens. Though they display sexual dimorpism, it is expressed only in their feathers, with both sexes otherwise appearing very feminine. Especially individuals less familiar with the intricacies of kukroi (or simply uncaring about them) tend to view them all as females.
Kukroi are often seen as beautiful to other humanoids, and even many non-humanoid people. They are elegant and graceful, with appealingly colorful feathers, and a delicate feminine shape. As a result, they are commonly applied for sex appeal, including as sex workers, or less consensually, as sex slaves.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Despite being avian humanoids, kukroi are largely human in anatomy, although their plentiful feathers make it hard to tell. They are sexually dimorphic, but not in the way most humanoids are, as both sexes lack breasts and even genitalia appear very similar on the outside. Instead, the difference is in the feathers themselves.
Male kukroi have stiff feathers, often forming big impressive displays when flared. Female kukroi, on the other hand, have softer drooping feathers, which can be used to hide or shelter offspring. For those unfamiliar with the species, however, it can be easy to dismiss the different feathers as a variable trait within the species, rather than something sex-linked. Kukroi which transition medically will eventually start growing the feathers of the gender they're transitioning to, but may go through awkward half-half phases before then, where their new feathers don't quite match either form, or where their plumage contains a mix of both. This may also occur in intersex individuals, or even be a desirable outcome for non-binary kukroi.
Most of a kukroi's body is covered in a dense plumage of more ordinary feathers, however. While decorative feathers are found mostly on the head, shoulders, hips, and lower arms, normal feathers cover most of the remaining body. Their faces, hands, feet, and crotches are featherless, however, and their feather coverage tends to be thinner on the stomach.
Kukroi have long pointed nails, which are used in their feather grooming process, known as preening. They preen using an oil they produce themselves, from glands in the chest (but which open up near the armpits), carding it through their feathers. Preening is often a social activity among family and friends.
Aside from their beautiful and feminine appearance, another reason for the kukroi's popularity (and confusion about their sexes) is the genital anatomy. Unlike humans, and indeed most humanoids, kukroi have cloacas, like birds. These all-purpose openings are fairly similar between both sexes, and are used both for reproduction and to expel waste. Like many birds, kukroi simply rub their cloacas together to pass reproductive material, and male kukroi thus lack any sort of phallus.
Genetics and Reproduction
Kukroi go through reproductive seasons, and neither sex is capable of producing a pregnancy outside of this time. Female kukroi don't ovulate, and have no eggs available outside of their season, and male kukroi produce no sperm. Exact reproductive seasons will vary depending on the environment, and may occur once or twice a year, depending on the circumstances. Kukroi typically need a year to adjust to a changed environment, and may skip reproductive seasons during that time, or experience them at a normal time, when no one else may be available.
During reproductive seasons kukroi are capable of conceiving, but not driven to do so. Some may experience heightened libido, but not all do.
Content warning
This article mentions sex work and sex slavery, although only passingly.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
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