Aarakocra

"I have flown to the four corners of the Known World and I have seen many things, hatchling. I have watched the inventive humans devise magical wonders, I have spied elves living in carefree harmony with the land, I have spotted orcs and goblinkin squabbling in brutal tribes on the outskirts of civilization, and I have witnessed the wealth of dwarves. And I can tell you, hatchling, that I have never once wished to trade my wings to live among them. They are all landbound, groundstricken. They cannot reach up and touch the sky as we can - though I wouldn't put it past humans to try."
An elder councilwoman of Rocky Roost, telling a young hatchling of the World Beyond the Mountain.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Aarakocran anatomy is similar to baseline humans in most regards. Muscular structure for is similar excepting the lower legs and additional wing musculature. Bones are hollow, but otherwise similar in form and function. No unusual internal organs exist, matching basic humans almost identically. They are not able to sweat like humans, but the thin feather coat beneath the wings can be adjusted to radiate body heat efficiently (no apparent reduction in stamina versus baseline humans). Sexual organs are internal for both genders. Females develop breasts vestigially (considering that they are not utilized in child-rearing, attracting a mate, or any other function).

Genetics and Reproduction

Aarakocra are egg-bearing like other bird species. The mother carries one egg for 3 months, then lays it. It must incubate for another 9 months before hatching. Eggs require warming for the entire incubatory period, and egg care tends to be communal with multiple aarakocra tending to it.
An old aarakocran legend states that they must raise their children above the clouds as part of their curse. While aarakocran children do survive below the clouds, they seem to suffer from crippling mental strain. Prospective parents retreat to high-altitude strongholds to give birth and have their young cared for.
Aarakocra do not breed true - that is, their appearance does not impact their offspring's appearance. It is believed that the curse that gives the aarakocra their bird-like forms mimics bird species at random. The Downsly Experiment proves that the curse is not limited to natural bird species, though Downsly's work has seen the eccentric mage stripped of all honors and titles due to its unethical nature.
Temperament does seem to pass between generations, though this is hard to track due to aarakocran social norms placing no significance on parent-child relationships.

Growth Rate & Stages

Aarakocra are born without feathers and are barely mobile. They quickly develop a down coat, followed by several stages of fledgling feathers before they finally develop an adult coat. Aarakocra are able to fly once they develop their adult coat, which typically takes 12 years. At this point, they are physically and sexually mature and have enough mental maturity to be considered adults.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dietary needs for aarakocra match those of standard humans, except that aarakocra need to eat about twice as much. They have heightened metabolisms to produce the necessary energy for flight. The type of bird an aarakocra appears to be does not impact its dietary requirements or its preferences in food.

Scientific Name

Homo sapiens cs. alatus

Origin/Ancestry

Aarakocra are a cursed offshoot of Homo sapiens who's progenitor attempted to enter the Divine Palace and failed.

Lifespan

Aarakocra live for 80 years on average, with the eldest known aarakocra living to 143 years of age.

Average Height

Aarakocra vary in height depending on the form of bird their body is mimicking. Typically, this is between 3 feet and 6 feet in height, though long-necked individuals may be taller.

Average Weight

Aarakocra are lighter than normal humans, and tend to weight 30 to 100 pounds.

Average Length

Aarakocran wingspan is typically 15 to 20 feet, though some individuals have been recorded with wingspans of up to 25 feet.