Marqat Sandgrouse

A diurnal and gregarious species of sandgrouse common to northern Alkelbulan, the Frozen Wastes and even Bharat. They live in small flocks, feeding along the ground, storing water in their feathers and sleeping in barren spaces infrequently visited by predators. Marqat sandgrouse still possess the ability to fly despite their preference for the ground, flying with rapid wingbeats and travelling quickly. They have a tendency to migrate into any area that has had rain recently, seeking out new plant growth. These birds are extremely wary and easily frightened, hunted by both predators and humans.

Herbivore	Prey	Diurnal	Gregarious
Communication	Altruistic	Flight	Camouflage

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Kaithur

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First Ability

Ithisda's Charge

Sandgrouse with Ithisda's Charge can store up water inside their feathers including from magic. They can convert this to energy, use it to strengthen their bodies or re-release the water like an aura. However, they mostly use this as a means of transporting water to their chicks and for surviving in their arid habitats, occasionally distracting predators with valuable water.

Second Ability

Iska's Aura

Those with Iska's Aura are able to summon or generate cold temperatures or ice, emerging from their body or into an area around themselves. Often used for camoflage, going so far as to bury or encase themselves in ice to evade predators. They cannot suffocate when buried in this state and are also immune to severe cold or damage from ice in general.

Ilnid's Aura

Using Ilnid's Aura are able to summon or generate sand, glass or quartz from Ilnid's Plane, emerging from their body or into an area around themselves. Often used for camoflage, going so far as to bury themselves to evade predators. They cannot suffocate when buried in sand, quartz or glass but must eventually re-emerge to eat or drink. Immune to damage from this aspect.

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Anatomy

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Original Ancestor	Size
Pterocles senegallus Spotted Sandgrouse	13 in (33 cm)

Coloration

Males are reddish brown along their nape and bill. This is separated by a pale gray band, their chin, neck and throat orange while their their chest is gray. Upper parts are pinish gray with dark patches on their wings, tail and lower belly. Females are noticably duller. In their magic form, marqat sandgrouse gain clear blue feathers along their underparts while their upper feathers take on the appearance of either ice or sand.

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Ecology

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Habitat

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Shrubland

Semi-Desert

Rural

Polar

Desert

Marqat sangrouse are native to northern Alkelbulan, the Frozen Wastes and Bharat. They prefer desert, semi-desert and arid countryside, feeding along scrublands and drinking from wadis or oases. Within Alkelbulan, they make their home in Shamsi Desert, Kemet, Birit Narim, Kna'an, Arabiyyan Desert, Balkurtiz, Gaarreen Ho'aa, Parsa, Sesli Plato, Flumen Pontem and the borderlands of Kasar Wuta.

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Predation

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These birds are an ideal meal for a great many hunters of the desert, as well as being particularly hydrating for predators. They have many habits and adaptions for survival but their most important tool is their wary nature! Living in small flocks, they rely on each other as they search for food. Just about every predator is a danger to these flocks but the greatest danger comes from Paraa Falcons. One member of their flock will fly overhead as they browse for food and will give a warning call if it spots a falcon. At this sound the entire flock will freeze. While remaining still, their camoflage usually fools these falcon so long as they aren't making use of their own kaithur, Kalitho's Eye.

If they are still spotted and the falcon dives, the sentinal will give one more alarm call. In a last ditch effort to survive, marqat sandgrouses will activate their Auras, encasing their bodies in thick sand, layers of ice or sharp glass... but some simply aren't quick enough.

Their final adaption for avoiding predators is where they choose to roost for the night. They will seek out barren wastes where there is no plantlife to feed on, where there aren't likely to be any Qafz Jerboa. Jerboa are a favorite meal to predators like the Ayyur Fox and Wata Jackal, sandgrouse not wanting to be anywhere near these canines might be hunting. When sleeping, they encase themselves in a sand or ice cocoon, settling in until just before dawn.

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Diet

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Granivore

Folivore

Marqat sandgrouse eat seeds and plant matter found on the ground in scrub or grasslands and will fly to a watering hole to drink when their stored water has run dry. They must remain vigilant while seeking out resources, many predators having theirr eyes set on this species. When the time does come to seek out water, a group of sandgrouses will land some distance away from a watering hole, treking the rest of the way on foot like a troupe of soldiers. One of the flock will keep watch, letting the others know when the coast is clear and alerting them to danger. Each bird has only 15 seconds to absorb as much water as they can hold! Marqats will only make this journey at dawn, avoiding predators by travelling while they are resting.

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Life Cycle

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Oviparous

Monogamous

Biparental

Marqat sandgrouse form monogomous pairs in summer but nest separately from their eggs. Two to three eggs are lain in a depression of stony ground, having a preference for pourous rock which remains cooler. The eggs are difficult to tell apart from ordinary pebbles. Combined with their parent's camoflage as they incubate the eggs, they are nearly invisible. Eggs hatch after 20 days, born relatively mature and chicks will leave the nest soon after hatching. They follow after their mother to nearby wadis where she teaches them to peck at and eat dry seeds along the ground or in the snow. Their father will soak his feathers in water similarly to a Ramil Lark, absorbing large amounts of water into his feathers for his offspring to drink. They will fledge at around 4-5 weeks.