Giant Hummingbird

Giant hummingbird
Pilikua'ihu
Information
Natural Habitat:	Great forests in Bahija but exist on entire island chain
Classification:	Birds
Average Size:	8' to shoulder, 14' beak to tail, 19' wingspan
Average Weight:	50lbs
Coloring:	Varies greatly depending on breeder and current trends
Distinguishing Features:	Iridescent feathers, long lance-like beak, flight patterns, vertical takeoff

Bahija is one of several countries that fields an aerial cavalry (others being Griffon's Aerie, Elvendeep, Arangoth, Pentland and Zul Kiras.) Bahijan mounts are giant breeds of hummingbirds that evolved to feed from some of the enormous flowering trees in the Bahijan jungle. These mounts are capable of vertical takeoff and can be trained to charge, inflicting serious damage with their lance-like beaks. They are fed a diet of water infused with nectar or sugarcane. Originally the giant hummingbird was half its current size. Years of dedication and careful breeding grew the bird and granted it the ability to carry both a rider, the gear necessary for it, and small loads.

Description

The giant hummingbird closely resembles its smaller cousins in terms of body shape. There are some changes to make it more robust and able to carry smaller members of the Bahijan cavalry over the distances required. Heavier musculature attaching the wings, carrying around to the breast, a less delicate beak, and legs with stronger bones and longer talons.

Above everything else the most prominent feature is the bird's long beak. It takes up nearly one quarter of the total length at an average of 4-5'. Those bred for fighting and cavalry use have a straight beak while those for pleasure of riding and to give tours may have one that curves downward. From the beak comes out a long tongue used to gather nectar from flowers that have evolved with it that accommodate the birds' requirement for nectar that has a high sugar content. While it is possible for them to eat other things, fruits smashed and mixed with water or water with sugarcane in it, the best diet is pure nectar. It delivers the nutrients and sugar that it requires to sustain high-energy flight.

Coloration varies greatly depending on breeder, use, and environment they're raised in. They tend to blend in with their surroundings rather than stand out. Either they match the foliage of colossal plants they call home and roost in or the flowers that they prefer. An iridescent bird with a green dorsal area and light blue belly might come from the grasslands. One with a red head and green body typically favors a large flower that nearly envelopes the bird's head. More radical colors have been developed by controlled breeding over the course of many generations. This has produced purple varieties with blue wings, a solid emerald iridescence, and even spots and flecks of black over their bodies.

Sharp talons tip every one of the hummingbird's toes. They are long and curved, made to deal damage to even creatures that have a natural or artificial armor. Thick legs, and the hooked claws, allow them to tear at, pick up, and generally mangle a target. It adds a formidable weapon that, in conjunction with the lance-like beak, make this creature worth the upkeep.

There are more feathers on a single hummingbird than there are on three of a counterpart its size of a different variety. Each feather is small in size and fan-shaped. There are few barbs and this make it almost resemble a comb. The soft barbs are considerably shorter and do not taper into the barb.

Breeding Habits

Early in the spring a breeding pair will work on building a nest in the massive kala huna or papa'i'apala trees. They commonly use whole and partial bits of leaves, mud, and the strong webbing of the golden spider to bind everything together.

Other Characteristics

It's hard to believe that the giant hummingbird suffers from predation but there are a number of creatures that devour them. Wild specimens have more of a problem with survival in the difficult Bahijan landscape than farmed ones. In the wild forests there's no breeder or wood and metal coop to keep them safe. Young are subject to great horned boas raiding their nest. Eggs and newly hatched chicks are helpless when a colony of arrow ants and silver mites

Gallery

<gallery> Purple hummingbird.jpg|Purple headed Grey flecked hummingbird.jpg|Grey black flecked Rubythroathummer65.jpg|Male ruby throat phase Redthroat.jpg|Female ruby throat Feedinghummingbird.jpg|Green charger feeding on a red hiohia Purple bluewinged hummingbird.jpg|Blue-winged purple feeding on kukuihana flowers </gallery