Neobalaur (SciiFii)

Neobalaur paradisus, also known as the paradise goblin and the goblin-of-paradise, is a species of primitive ground bird, not a dromaeosaur, despite its name, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced to the subtropical and temperate forests of Azores archipelago to help boost biodiversity. The male paradise goblin in breeding season is primarily black in color with some light blues, being based off of male Lophorina birds-of-paradise, Epimachus birds-of-paradise, and several motmot species, while the females are dull brown in color with black-colored heads, being based off of female Parotia birds-of-paradise. In most of the year, the paradise goblin males are dark brown in color with cream-white claws. The paradise goblin is a rather average-sized bird, growing to be about the size of a very large swan. It is an omnivore that primarily feeds on carrion, smaller vertebrates, insects, scorpions, spiders, fruits, leaves, and non-poisonous mushrooms. It is a solitary animal that spends most of its life alone except during the breeding seasons. During the breeding seasons, the male paradise goblin uses the open lattice of the titanic strangler fig to hold aloft a platform of branches, carefully curated and built to support the weight of the male as he dances on a well-pruned growth from the strangler fig that sits amidst a pile of flowers. Over time, the titanic strangler fig will grow around parts of the display, helping to support it structurally. The fig benefits from the relationship in that the paradise goblin enriches the soil around it with food detritus, carrion, fruit, and decaying flowers/branches. Males typically spend over a decade at their platforms, with some erecting gardens of flowers to cull from for their displays. Some males have been observed pooling resources, building multiple bowers in the same clearing or even, once, a mega-bower between two heavily overgrown figs. In these cases both males mate with the female if she approves of their construction and showmanship. The conservation status of the paradise goblin is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and its wide range in the island it lives in.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii