Hippogriff

Hippogriffs are closely related to and but often overlooked in favor of Griffons. Like their cousins, the Griffons, Hippogriffs are part of a line that fuses avian and mammalian traits. Fossil records haven't been accurate enough to account for this theory; thus, most subscribe to divine influence. However, the merely physical attributes and the close relations between similar creatures such as Griffons point to a more biological and possible origin. Convergent evolution is usually the case, rather than magic. Like many such creatures, stories, legends, and early paintings put Hippogriffs as ancient as our own civilizations. Today they survive in the wilds between towns but some are domesticated.
The Orcs of Kucca are known to be capable of domestication of the animals. There are also tales of elven riders in the histories of Allenia.
The Gnomish community has had an uptake in abductions/killings and desires our attention as well. A better understanding of handling a Hippogriff nest nearby can save many lives as they are aggressive and competent predators.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Hippogriffs are lightly boned like birds but not completely hollow their bones are more perforated to reduce weight but keep some strength. Their leg bones are the thickest ones, though, in order to take the impact of running. This lighter weight for their size enables them to fly, but they still need large wings. To take off, Hippogriffs either need a steep incline to gain speed or a long stretch of ground in which they can run fast enough. They can run just as fast as a horse on the ground and, if winds are in their favor, more quickly. Using their wings as a sail to catch the wind, they will allow high winds to push them to greater speeds and run down prey. Unlike Pegasus or other equine flyers, when flying, don't gallop in the air but instead fully fold their limbs inward and tucked underneath themselves like that of a bird. When flying, they can reach near 70 mph, making them some of the fastest flyers for their size.

Genetics and Reproduction

Hippogriffs are not quick breeding and only can produce 2 young every 2 years. In their 30 to 35 year lifespans, they may only produce 10 young total, and even then, statistically, only 4 will survive to create their own young. It takes 2 years to raise young from their first whinny after hatching.

Ecology and Habitats

Hippogriffs have to live in warmer or temperate climates to maintain enough food for their high-energy lifestyle. They also require specific environments or dwellings that they don't have to compete with larger predators in the air like Griffons or Rocs. Thus they stick to copses of trees near fields or even, in some cases, dense forests.
A Hippogriff nest is large enough to fit 2 Hippogriffs and their hatchlings. This makes for huge nests usually seen on forests' outskirts or copses of trees midway into the canopy. Be prepared for a fight if you spot a nest; they are highly territorial and aggressive.

Dietary Needs and Habits

First and foremost, Hippogriffs are predators. They are exclusively carnivores, aside from the occasional plant consumed for either digestion or boredom. When hunting, they circle their territories looking for prey, which they favor horses of all things. Prey can be anything from larger rodents or badgers to creatures close to their own size, like equines. Once a target is spotted, they dive down and pull up at the last second into a run for boosted speed. They often line their heads up to the broadside of prey and align their necks to serve as a battering ram. Once they strike their game often, they are rolled over or stunned enough for the beak and fore-claws to finish the job. They are specially adapted to finding prey who like to graze in fields then flee into the woods for safety like deer. Hippogriffs spot their game in the open and quickly dive in, usually chasing prey into the forest where they would be safe from other sky predators most of the time.
They are not incredibly picky when it comes to what meats they consume. However, they are very fond of gnomes for some reason and even will occasionally attack Gnomeish settlements when that would usually be too dangerous to bother with.

Biological Cycle

Young Hippogriffs cannot fly for the first few months and rely entirely on their parents to bring them food. They are carefully watched by a parent close-by while the other hunts for the whole family during this time. Once able to fly, they stay close to the adult Hippogriffs and only join in feeding once the fight is clearly finished. Usually, they circle above like vultures waiting for any confrontation to finish. Unfortunately, this leaves them vulnerable to other sky predators, like griffons.

Behaviour

Despite Hippogriffs being territorial and attacking many other creatures with abandon, they are relatively friendly to each other. Even nesting very close by to one another at times. While Hippogriffs usually live in pairs, they can live in groups of up to a dozen members. In these groups, they play with each other in tag games that resemble extravagant ballets to onlookers.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Hippogriffs are not highly intelligent creatures but, as with many predators, are smart enough to be dangerous. As with birds of prey who work with humanoids, such as hawks or eagles, they can understand many things and relay a lot of information but operate mostly on survival. The idea of conventional sentience is a more grey area, but suffice it to say you'll unlikely be able to reason your way against a hungry Hippogriff.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Aside from the uncommonly domesticated Hippogriffs, almost all humanoids are seen as a food source to Hippogriffs. Being a flying predator, a horse's size can be a good cause for any traveler's concerns. Even druids who can actively speak with them under the right circumstances have trouble keeping off a Hippogriffs list of viable prey.

Civilization and Culture

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Hippogriffs, unlike Griffons or other flying predators, don't have the binocular vision usually required to spot prey from high above. Instead, they have eyes more adapted to spotting movement and quickly swoop in on potential prey. Their high aggression is an adaptation to catch even deadly targets off-guard. They could find themselves up against a hearty foe at times without a discerning eye. Unlike many other animals, they see in full color, making things just a little easier on them when spotting prey.

Lifespan

30 to 35 years

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Cloud Strikers
The most commonly known Hippogriffs are Cloud Strikers. Standing around 6 to 7 feet tall, they soar the plains of temperate areas living in the small forests and copses of trees. Their underbellies are a splotched white resembling lazy clouds on sunny days with their top feathers mottled white and black, looking like dark branches underneath a canopy to those above it.
Cloud Strikers are also known for having excellent displays darting in and out of the clouds in play, looking as if they are hunting the fluffy white water for fun. They have loud shrill yet deep sounding eagle-like screeches.
Ash Runners
In areas of heavy volcanic activity and ash commonly falls, these black and grey mottled Hippogriffs pick off prey in the cover of soot. They often nest in trees still standing around the volcanos or close enough by. Ash Runners can withstand incredible heat but are incredibly susceptible to any kind of cold.
They stand around 5 to 7 feet tall. Sometimes they are mistaken for Nightmares due to their colorations and habitat but still indeed have very avian features, unlike the undead horses.