Golden Rudder

Golden rudders are a common waterfowl species found around the north and east of Aekor, the Frost Lands and southern Trecath. A coastal species, living along cliff faces and feeding on saltwater algae growing on the surface of the waters.

Anatomy

A very distinguishable bird from any other that lives around them, their plumage is mostly a golden colour with brown and green streaks. Their heads are completely golden, with white and yellow eyes and short orange beaks. Their orange legs end in 3 long claws, with webbing to help swim. The underside of their wings display a pattern of brown and green stripes, while the top of their wings are a golden colour.

Habitat & Geographic Distribution

Golden rudders live across a total of three continents, with four main nesting sites:

Southwest coast of Trecath, in Hanoan and Nydiowa, west of Mantakar Lake.

North coast of Kaltia, around the Frost Mountain Range.

North coast of Aendatha, along Mittel Peak and its neighbouring headlands.

Northeast coast of Aendatha.

Because of the population and range, golden rudders are considered pests in some areas as they move inland on occasion and end up trampling on farmlands in large flocks. This is especially the case in areas such as Aendatha, where forested farmlands make up the majority of the coast.

Diet

During summers, golden rudders will seek out algae and kelp growing at the surface of the water in the coasts where they live. These often include moonvines and moonleaves, which grow worldwide and at very fast rates.

During winters, golden rudders will switch to a more omnivorous diet, still feeding on the moonvines, but since they grow slower they consume more small invertebrates, like micrabs.

Nests

Attentive parents, golden rudders construct neat nests on cliff edges. They use small rocks and smash up the cliff-face, to create small hollows where they can lay their eggs. This kind of intelligence is not seen in too many bird species. Once the hollow is formed, lines of sticks will be constructed to stop the eggs from rolling off, and is secured with algae that becomes hard to break when dried.

Lifespan

15 years

Average Length

60 - 70cm

Geographic Distribution