Darkling

About

Common Names

Darkling

Classification

Bird

Darklings are a species of corvid common throughout Annexea. Thought of as mischievous pranksters,they are commonly associated with faeries, and some believe that they are capable of shifting forms between bird and a small person of roughly equal size.

Description

Size

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Appearance

Large birds with predominantly black feathers, beaks and eyes. They have grey a head cap and a saddle shaped patch on their back.

Variance

There are a few sub-species of darklings which vary in size or pattern of their feather colouration.

Ecology

Habitat

Subtropical to subarctic forests

Diet

Darlklings are predominantly scavenger omnivores, eating a variety of carrion, nuts, grains and fruit. They will on occasion eat small animals they kill opportunistically.

Behaviour

Social Grouping

Small flocks of up to a dozen members.

Temperament

Curious and Inquisitive.

Intelligence

Clever animals.

Reproduction

Trading

Darklings have sometimes formed reciprocal relationships with Treahni, and will trade shiny trinkets, shells, and stones for food.

Notable Sub-Species

Common Darkling

The most ubiquitous species of darkling which is found throughout the full range of the species.

Greater Darkling

A larger species which lacks the headcap typical of their cousin species.

Iskandean Darkling

Smaller than the common cousins, these birds are endemic to the Isk Archipelago.

Domestication

General

While not specifically domesticated, some people have managed to form co-operative bonds with individual darklings, which may engage in trading behaviour.

Resources

Eggs, Meat, Feathers

See Also

The Darkling