Wuta Finch

A common finch found across Alkelbulan. Their familiar, soft song and amiable flocks bring a sense of cheer even amid the arid reaches of the Shamsi Desert. Brilliantly colored and elegant in movement, they might remind one of a flickering flame. They are almost always in their magic form when they are foraging for food, falling back on their ability to sense hostility to detect predators. Beyond their cheery demeanor and acute perception, wuta finch are known for their ability to cross over into Flithmar's Plane. When danger presents itself, they flock together all at once towards any source of open fire, diving into the flames of torches and campfires interspersed within the human settlements they reside in! Predator Prey Omnivore Diurnal Flight Gregarious

Kaithur

Zithvek's Sense Using Zithvek's Sense, wuta finches can sense emotions, thoughts and states related to Zithvek (hatred, hostility, annoyance, disgust, dissonance and feelings of agitation, rage, anger, passion, impatience and need) and learn details about these emotions and thoughts by touching a target. Mostly used to sense the hostility of predators. Flithmar's Step With Flithmar's Step, these birds can enter and exit Flithmar's Plane via portals and travel the plane freely without injury. They can bring another with them while maintaining contact. These portals are any instance of fire large enough to fit through. This ability also leaves them fireproof and in fact is very similar to a Movement manifestation, flames a solid foothold for them.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lagonostica larvata/senegala Black-faced Fire Finch/Red Billed Fire Finch Length 2.9 in 10cm Coloration Wuta finches are naturally vivid red and black though females are much duller, mostly brown and pink. A yellow ring encircles their eyes, their undertail is brown and the rest of their underparts are pink. In their magic form, the wuta finch becomes almost entirely orange and black but their once pink feathers become vermillion red. Together, these hues give them an appearance which resembles a red-tinged sunset.

Habitat

Rural Urban Grassland Savannah Montane Semi-Desert Temperate Forest Tropical Forest Wuta finches prefer to make their home wherever humans can be found. Whether this is because humans build their towns around sources of water or the finches are attracted to the fires which burn in human settlments is uncertain. They enjoy open habitats and are fairly widespread, found throughout the lands south of the Shamsi Desert. They might even be found in the oases, wadis and villages of Shamsi and Kasar Wuta! Otherwise, they make their homes in Kemet, Birit Narim, Nyasi za Rangi, Gaarreen Ho'aa and even Musi Kongo.

Diet

Omnivore Granivore Insectivore These diurnal finches are seed eating birds but might also feed on small insects, especially termites. They are most often sighted foraging along the ground but will flit to trees or into fire when spooked. They are far less flighty than their ancestors, unperturbed by those lacking aggression or anger. It is hostility, rage and need which they sense using their kaithur, that which urges them to flee. They flock in considerable numbers as they are a gregarious species.

Life Cycle

Oviparous Monogamous Biparental Wuta finches are residential breeders, not migrating with the seasons. Pairs form among their flocks and they each create a domed nest made of grass built into low bushes, walls or thatch rooves. They are careful to select plants which are fireproof whether these are pieces of Mawa Palm or variations of Mashe Lovegrass. Each pair will lay 3-6 eggs and parents provide their young food once they hatch.