Faldinn

Faldinns are massive birds that glide their way over the canopies of the rainforests of the moon Nine in the Sao System.

Anatomy

Faldinns have a large body, with thick, white feathers. They possess five sets of wings, one pair on their long necks and the other four along their long body. They have two pairs of legs below their body which help them move their massive torso when floating on the lakes they live in.

Their necks are long, and their heads are small with a thick beak that can reach down into lakes, grab and pull seaweeds and kelps that they consume.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males and females can be easily distinguished. Male faldinns possesss bright, curly tail feathers, oranges and blacks, while females don't. Males are also a small percentage larger than females.

Reproduction

Faldinns mate during breeding season, a month long season at the start of each year. Males will create a large raft nest on a lake's edge in an attempt to impress their mate. If a female is impressed, this nest is where she will lay her 4-7 eggs. The eggs are pear shaped, and a light blue with a white spiral at the bottom.

Raft Nests

Males will go in search of tree bark that's sturdy enough to withstand two birds, eggs and a large nest. Faldinns usually take lots of bark, and use a specialised saliva to glue them together to create a large, strong base for their nest. Once this is done and tested by having them stand on it, the males will then collect as many sticks, feathers, moss and lichen, as they can, to create the most impressive nest for their potential mate.

Diet

Faldinns eat any plants they can from the lakes that they live and nest on. They use their long necks to reach underwater and snap at any food they can; kelps, seaweeds, algaes that they may find on the surface of the water. They aren't picky either, any food will do.

Habitat

Faldinns are best suited to floating along lakes and in the skies. Their powerful wings can keep them in the air for literal days, and they can go without food for that long too. They thrive in lakes where they have their only food sources; the plants underwater. They use their four strong feet to paddle along the water.

Lifespan

30 years

Average Length

10 metres (32 feet)

Geographic Distribution

• Nine

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