Equestrian Pegasus

## Introduction

Equus Mana Aves, or Pegasi, are the pony race gifted with the ability of flight and weather manipulation, among other things. They're less likely to complete acts of active mana use, which were more common in Pre-Ancient Equestria and minorly in Ancient Equestria. These feats include, but are not limited to; the Sonic Rainboom and Weather Wielding (as opposed to Weather Manipulation).

## Physical Attributes

Pegasi, on average, are the smallest of the three races. This allows them quick and agile flight, especially with their long, large, yet thin wings. However, they also have a healthy dose of lean leg and flank muscle due to the nature of pushing off everything in order to fly, and back muscle in order to support their wings. Pegasi are usually flexible, which allows them easy manoeuvrability in their flight; this combined with their hollow bones makes flight quick, easy and possible, but also makes them quite fragile when on the ground. While these evolutions, among others, give Pegasi their famous ability to live among clouds and glide on breezes and all else, on the ground it can be detrimental. Their hooves are not cloven, however they do have hoof feathers on all four legs, and an extra set on their back knees. Pegasi also have something similar to a feather tail, and Ancient Pegasi had tail feathers large enough to help with steering and braking; they also cover the Pegasus's tail for a more aerodynamic flight. This is still possible in modern-day Pegasi, of course, however there is no doubt that Ancient Pegasi had larger feather-tails; some historians even argue that perhaps, like Unicorns, Ancient Pegasi had their own unique form of tail. Something completely feathered, similar to that of a peacock. There has been no confirmation of such a fact, and is largely dismissed as myth.

Pegasi also have fur within their ears and a third eyelid that activates during flight, this helps protect their senses from onslaught of bugs and the harsh weather conditions they can endure. The colouring of the fur and feathers follows no sort of pattern; some Pegasi have fur and hoof feathers similar to their wing feathers, others are completely different colours. They also have feathers along the tips of their ears.

Similar to a Unicorns horn molt, Pegasi will go through stages of preening and grooming as their wings mature. Pegasi foals are able to begin flight quite young, however due to their weak muscle and bone structure, they are madly clumsy and it isn't uncommon for many Pegasi to have scars from flying headfirst into things. This clears up before a filly gets their cutie mark, however they keep their protective downy feathers until they reach around the age of 18, where it begins to fall off over the next few years.

## Diet

While Terra are completely herbivorous, and Unicorns rarely (if ever) indulge meat, Pegasi must eat meat in order to sustain themselves. This has been theorised to be caused by Pegasi close relations to other omnivorous and carnivorous species' including Dragons, Griffons, and the fabled Thestrals. A pescatarian diet was the most common, however Pegasi have been recorded in olden times to be able to eat other meats, usually rodents and small mammals unless the prey was hunted in large groups. This is also supported by the idea of Pegasus Flocks that have been founded in olden times around Equestria and still slightly practiced today. While this entire meat-eating idea used to be refuted as something barbaric and untrue, closer analysis of Pegasi anatomy (including the spacing and shape of their teeth) in comparison to other animals with similar diets showed a high number of similarities.

Nowadays, Pegasi are known for their large appetites that rival even the largest Terra, which comes from the fact that eating meat of any kind is frowned upon. With this lack of extra protein and nutrients it isn't surprising that you'll almost always see a Pegasi eating or complaining of being hungry. If not that, many Pegasi enjoy frequent naps to conserve their energy.

## Life & Culture

Despite their olden militaristic views and traditions, Pegasi are quite physically affectionate almost on par with Terra. The most common form of this is Flight and Preening.

### Preening

A Pegasi's wings are their pride and joy, and even those who are unable to fly are still held to the same view as those who can; their sense of pride is given because they are Pegasus, not just because they can fly. Because of this, preening and grooming of their feathers is a delicate task reserved for those a Pegasus trusts the most. In their younger years this is usually parents and siblings, and as the Pegasus gets older this can include close friends and romantic partners. Under and over grooming feathers leads to unstable flight, however over grooming is worse than under grooming.

### Flight

Flight is the most common form of affection in Pegasi especially among friends and non-Pegasi. Between two Pegasi, it's usually the older or more experienced Pegasi that will lift the younger or inexperienced Pegasus up and hold them in flight. This can also be accompanied by the eldest throwing the youngest and the pair flying in sync. With a non-Pegasus, or a Pegasus that can't fly, the flight Pegasus will pick up the other and fly around with them in their hooves or on their back. An example of this is Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo when the youngest got her Cutie Mark. If the creature is too heavy then the flight Pegasus will usually fly around the other creature, performing wide loops and turns to show their appreciation.