Ramil Lark

A small and common bird of the northern deserts of Emynea, especially the Shamsi Desert and the Frozen Wastes. These little larks spend much of their time on the ground, foraging for seeds and bugs and avoiding their persistant predators, Wata Jackal and Paraa Falcon. When under threat, the Ramil freezes and blends themselves into the sand, ice or rocks around them. They use more than camouflage to these ends, their feathers transforming into sand, glass, ice or jagged quartz! While they can be found throughout a vast territory they aren't easilly spotted, blending into their habitats and are quite wary. Yet most peoples sharing the same desert sands as these sandy larks are most familiar with them through their sweet and fluttering song and the sight of them bathing within watering holes in the light of dawn--a gentle pleasure of oases life! Predator Prey Omnivore Nocturnal Flight Camouflage

Kaithur

First Ability Ilnid's Skin With Ilnid's Skin, these larks can convert their feathers and skin into sand, quartz or glass, differing by individual. They can expand these into jagged glassy spikes, thick sandy insulation or tough quartz armor! However, this species mostly uses this as camoflage, blending into the desert sands. Iska's Skin Those with Iska's Skin can produce layers of ice from their feathers and skin, convert their feathers into ice and expand this around themselves into various shapes. They are also immune to extremely cold conditions and can cool their skin at will. Also used as camoflage in the Frozen Wastes and for protection. Second Ability Rithaldis' Manipulation Larks with Rithaldis's Manipulation are able to manipulate and reshape radiant energy present in their environment. In this species, they automatically repell ionizing radiation and strong sunlight, immune to the dangers of the Shamsi Desert. They can even purify the food they eat from radiation before swallowing it. Aasaru's Eye Those with Aasaru's Eye are able to see desert plants in their environment over great distances and regardless of barriers. Used to find food and water, most desert flora centered around watering holes and wadis

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Ammomanes deserti Desert Lark Lenth Wingspan Weight 6 in 15 cm 11-12 in 27-30 cm 20-28 g Coloration A medium sized species of lark with a big head and a long yellow bill. Their coloration differs depending on their habitat, matching the terrain. Those living in desert dunes are sandier wheras those making their home in rocky terrain are more grey. Their wings and tail are rufous brown. In their magic form, their feathers convert into ice, sand, glass or quartz!

Habitat

Desert Semi-Desert Shrubland Rural Montane Polar These birds are found throughout the northern deserts of Emynea. They prefer deserts and semi-deserts, living everywhere from dunefields to craggy mountains, oases to wadis, scrublands to flats. While they are most common to Alkelbulan, they can also be found throughout the Frozen Wastes and all the way to the shores of Bharat. In Alkelbulan they inhabit the Shamsi Desert, Birit Narim, Kemet, the Arabiyyan Desert, Balkurtiz, Kna'an, Kasar Wuta, Gaarreen Ho'aa and Sesli Plato.

Diet

Granivore Insectivore Invertivore Molluscivore Graminivore Folivore Frugivore Florivore These birds mainly eat insects and seeds, walking and running along the ground foraging for Nqurt Ants, Khepri Scarab, al-Mawt Scorpion, Shab'lul Snail and other invertebrates, especially amid breeding season. Otherwise, the bulk of their diet comes from seeds but they might also eat grasses, leaves, fruit and even flowers. Those with Aasaru's Eye often fall back on their ability to see desert plants over long distances, seeking out lush pockets amid desert sands. They prefer foraging along the ground rather than taking flight to find its meals, more succeptable to Paraa Falcon in the air.

Life Cycle

Oviparous Monogamous Biparental Solitary Territorial Altruistic Ramil lark are usually a solitary species, not prone to flocking or migrating. Males also become territorial when breeding, drawing in a potential partner with a short song flight. The pair makes their nests on the ground and under or alongside rocks or tussocks of grass. When building this nest, they start with a shallow scrape before lining it with plant materials and a rim of glassy shards or quartz pebbles. 1-5 eggs are lain, both parents guarding them diligently before and after they hatch. Unlike many other desert species, they are not able to survive without a water source but approaching a watering hole is a risky affair for helpless chicks. To sustain their children, the father has special downy feathers on his belly which absorb and hold water! Its not quite as efficient as the water magic of a Marqat Sandgrouse but it still gets the job done. Once a day, he will soak in a watering hole and fly the water back to his chicks. The chicks and their mother will give a distinct call for him so that he can find them, even if they've moved. He will present his wet belly to them with his wings extended, signalling for them to drink. When ramil larks detect an inbound predator, they give a warning cry and the whole family will freeze and hide themselves under plants, rocky outcroppings or directly in the sand, adults converting their feathers into sand to better hide. The chicks won't fully develop their kaithur for some time, unable to rely on the total camoflage their parents are capable of. Most of the time, predators pass by without noticing the larks but if they get too close to their young, one of the parents will feign an injury. They will pretend to be wounded and helpless, luring the predator away from the family. Once they are far enough away, they will fly off suddenly but sometimes, this gamble pays off for the predator instead.