The volucre existed before humans came to Volucris, and they fascinated the early humans with their hunting abilities and intelligence. Over the course of centuries, volucre were captured as chicks, then eventually bred for mankind’s purpose. They have an intelligence similar to a corvid or parrot and were selectively bred for purposes like speed, size, and trainability. Today, volucre are fully domesticated, with physical variation similar to that of a dog or horse. Pockets of feral populations exist, however, and they are not necessarily harmful to Volucris' environment. They, after all, were here first. There are three species of volucre recognized, and each species has several variants. These variants can interbreed, so long as they are the same species, without artificial assistance. Female volucre are a third larger than males of the same species and variant combo, but they do not exhibit any notable sexual dimorphism beyond that.
The smallest of the volucre variants, toy volucre are best suited for companionship or hunting of small animals. They are also efficient messengers, able to carry small notes with them in flight, and can be taught aerial and ground agility tricks. Given their small size, they are the perfect beginner volucre, unlikely to be intimidating to anyone wanting to get their first winged companion.
The standard volucre are considered to be the original species of volucre. They are best suited to hunting larger prey, though many make good companions as well. They can be used to pull carts or carry a load on the ground, but they aren't strong enough to carry a full sized adult. Like their smaller counterparts, they can be used in agility shows and other performances that do not involve riding.
These massive volucre are considered to be the newest species of volucre and are able to be ridden. They are best suited for taking down massive prey or foes, carrying people long distances, or as war mounts. They are built for carrying weight on their backs, and can lift about a third of their body mass before becoming encumbered. They are intimidating and dangerous to train, not suited for a beginner, but their usefulness as large pack animals has made this species grow in popularity, thus mellowing their temperament through artificial selection.
Broadwing volucre have large, broad wings used to catch air currents and soar. These volucre circle high above the ground, catching thermals to take them higher, and look for prey across open fields. For this reason, these volucre hunt better in prairies or deserts. They are not well suited for fast flights or maneuvering, but have good endurance and are quite strong.
Sizes:
Micro Broadwings:
Standard Broadwings:
Titan Broadwings:
Longwing volucre have long, pointed wings and flatter faces. Their beaks have a notable notch after the point, making them more efficient than other variants at quickly dispatching prey. These volucre are incredibly fast, climbing up high in the sky and tucking their wings close to their bodies into a dive, where they can exceed speeds of 400 mph. They are best suited for hunting in open areas and catch avian prey easier than grounded animals.
Sizes:
Micro Longwings:
Standard Longwings:
Titan Longwings:
Shortwing volucre have short, wide wings and long tails. These volucre are fast and active, sacrificing strength for maneuverability. They hunt best in wooded areas, using the element of surprise to take quarry unaware rather than brute force.
Sizes:
Micro Shortwings:
Standard Shortwings:
Titan Shortwings:
Softwing volucre are the most specalized of the variants. These volucre are made for nocturnal hunting, relying on sense of sound rather than sense of sight. They have large eyes and are heavily feathered, and their plumage is softer than other volucre. Their wings are generally rounded with serrated edges on the feathers to break up air, reducing noise. They also have feathers all the way down to their toes. While they can hunt in all environments, they do best at dawn, dusk, or the dark of night. They are the only volucre not truly sight oriented.
Sizes:
Micro Softwings:
Standard Softwings:
Titan Softwings:
will do later, include:
Clutch size
brood rearing period
time to fledge/time to mature
mating behavior
sizing for variants + breeds + sex