cliff griphon

"The cliff griphon is a fairly small, for a griphon that is, species of griphon living primarily on the Eastern Walland within the Eastern Reaches.

There seem to be two different expressions of this Hybrid species. It is currently unknown if these forms are part of the same species or if they are two different species."

The cliff griphon has the expected bird-like wings but has a full feline body about the size of a mountain lion. The difference in the two anatomical expressions of this species is in the lower legs, especially the "paws" and the head.
One form does not feature the bird-like front legs instead, it has regular feline paws including the retracting claws, combined with a bird-like head that is covered in fur instead of feathers. This form features extremely long claws that definitively resemble very big eagle claws, sharp and very deadly. Due to their length, the claws can not totally be retracted and they are thus always visible.
The other expression features a feline head, covered in feathers, not fur and all its lower legs are much more raptor-like, missing the retraction ability and any fur or feathers.
Both forms of the cliff griphon populate the same areas and have frequently been seen mixed in social groups. Due to that fact naturalists are of the opinion that both forms are virtually the same species. There have been no reports on any sightings of any hybrid of these forms. Which suggests that they either breed true or do not interbreed."

From "Six months on the cliff. A study of the Eastern Wall and its inhabitants."

From a more modern point of view, the differences in the species mentioned above indicate that it is probably a group of not two but at least three distinct species or at least races that are described here.

1. A fairly standard member of the gryphon family of medium size. With the appropriate raptors head, wings and feline body
2. Another creature of the gryphon family with birdlike front legs but featuring a feline head albeit with feathers, not fur.
3. A creature of the gryphon family with birdlike front legs instead of the "regular" cat-like ones.

Geographic Distribution

• Eastern Reaches
• Eastern Wall
• Söe