Grand Prairie Bird

A common sight in tallgrass plains, the Grand Prairie Bird looks like a cross between a giant chicken and a turkey. They are mostly docile until mating season.
They are a popular choice for couriers who can afford them as they are quick and have short flight capabilities. With their short and quick strides and self-dampening legs, the ride is often pleasant, saving many tailbones and many sensitive concoctions.
Despite their size and protein potential, they are not seen as food, and most ranchers do not treat them as such.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Grand Prairie Birds are large chicken-like birds with stocky bodies and round wings that are capable of flight. They have short tails which are typically rounded like that of a turkey.
Adult males have orange comb-like feathers over their eyes and dark, elongated head feathers that can be raised or lain along the neck. They also possess a circular, un-feathered neck patch that can be inflated while courting; this, like their comb feathers, is also orange.
The adult females have shorter head feathers and also lack the male's yellow comb and orange neck patch.

Ecology and Habitats

Thanks to their size, they are not difficult creatures to spot, even in their tallgrass habitats.
Their nests are built from the same grass in their surroundings, usually in the shape of a cup. It is then shielded by a round, grass hood to protect from the wind, its shielding depends on the direction, if necessary, they will build additional sides if the wind blows from more directions. The nest is usually big enough to house both parents and their young, a small hole in the ceiling allows either parent to poke their head up like a periscope.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Grand Prairie Bird has an omnivore diet depending on the time of year.
In spring and summer, they primarily eat green leaves, buds and grass, as well as insects and small rodents. They continue to eat leaves and grass through the fall.
In the winter, the grand prairie bird’s favourite food is sunflowers. In the colder months, they also rely heavily on seeds and cereal grains such as wheat and corn.
Domesticated ones are also fed with mixed feed for better performance and improved growth.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

They are highly regarded for their speed and flight capability, making short work of difficult terrain. Couriers who could afford the upgrade from horses don't regret their decision.
While great for riding, they are not suitable for towing, as they lack the bone structure and muscular fortitude to pull heavy objects for long periods of time.
They are also prone to confusion via multiple sources of vibration, making them unsuitable for mounted cavalry use. There are talented ranchers who managed to raise their stocks to be resilient to panic, but their prices often prevent mass deployment.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their elongated head feathers also double as an extrasensory organ to detect vibrations.

Lifespan

30 to 40 years

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Average Height

9 feet (or 274.32 cm) to 12 feet (or 365.76 cm)

Average Weight

250 lbs (or 113.4 kg) to 350 lbs (or 158.76 kg)

Geographic Distribution

• Vestmir