Pali

Pali birds originally inhabited Sylvain and were purple and blue in color. After their magic detecting capabilities were discovered by humans, they sought to tame and domesticate them for their own use. After many failed attempts the humans gave up. Years later, a small group of elves decided to try taming them. They were met with success as the birds were more attracted to beings who had magic. For many years elves used the birds to track lost children, find lost pets and used them as an early warning for magic-bearing intruders.
After learning of this feat, a group of humans traveled to Sylvain and exterminated the birds. Since they couldn't use the birds abilities themselves, they decided no one could. They didn't stop at the tamed birds, they also hunted every single one they could find by whatever means possible which included destroying their habitat and food sources. The natives were powerless to stop them as they ravaged everything.
Desperate to save the Palis, the elves came up with a plan to transport the remaining birds to Bayou in secret. They felt that Bayou's natives would be more suited to protecting the birds, and so the elves carried out the operation. The humans learned of this and attempted to sabotage the ships. Once again the elves were overpowered, and they decided to make a deal. The elves would train the birds and hand them off to humans for their use. At this point their natural habitat was devastated, many of their food sources either extinct or close to it. The only way to keep the birds alive was to go through with the plan to transfer them to Bayou and hope.
With careful monitoring over many years, they managed to incorporate the birds into Bayou's ecosystem with minimal impact. The original Sylvainian purple Palis are still in the world and have been raised in captivity. Compared to the more common and dynamic Bayoun Palis, Slyvainain Palis are not as efficient in magic tracking and so aren't usually used.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Pali birds are the largest known parrots in the world, with the males measuring just under 1 meter (3.2 feet) from their head to the tip of their tail feathers. They have a wingspan of 80 centimeters.  (31.5 inches) Females tend to be slightly smaller at 92 centimeters (3 feet) and a wingspan of 74 centimeters (29 inches).
Palis that live in Bayou tend to have green and blue feathers with the males having more range of color than the predominantly blue females. Male Palis will have white facial markings while females have plain faces.

Genetics and Reproduction

In spring when Indra Caldera is putting off huge amounts of magic into the air, it attracts the birds to Kau. Males will consume the magically infused plants in the area to impress females, and if they succeed they will mate and create a nest in the trees. Females will lay up to 2 eggs a year.

Growth Rate & Stages

Palis are mature enough to fly in around 6 months. In another 6 months, their ability to sense magic is fully matured. They will live up to 30 years in the wild and 40 in captivity. The birds are fertile until they die.

Ecology and Habitats

These birds originally lived in dense jungles and rainforests until a combination of hunting and deforestation caused them to go extinct.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Most of their food consists of fruits, berries, nuts, and occasionally small insects. They are attracted to food sources that contain magic and only seak to consume mana.

Biological Cycle

When these birds eat the magical fruit from the Kea trees by Indra, the fruit starts to turn their feathers white with tints of pink. It is unknown why this happens and the same fruit is lethal to native species. It is known to poorly affect humans and other species which lack magic, although unclear in what ways.  
The white coloration is more prevalent in males as they eat more of the fruit than females. Looking at the white spots on a Pali can give an estimate of their age.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Palis are excellent at finding food with their incredible ability to hunt down magic. Females have a better sense of tracking magic compared to males. They also have a good sense of hearing and sight, but it pales in comparison. Like most birds, smell and taste aren't as important.

Conservation Status

Palis are extinct in their original habitat in Sylvain and are no longer found in the wild. In Bayou, they are conservation dependant.

Geographic Distribution

• Bayou Archipelago
• Sylvain