Azhdrorn

**Azhdrorn** (As-DRA-orn) are small Wingdrakes that travel in moderately sized flocks. These monsters are the female counterpart to Azhdrhacos and can commonly be seen traveling with the much larger male.

## **Description**

Azhdrorn are oddly proportioned quadrupedal wingdrakes characterized by their large beaked head and shaggy feathery coat. These female wingdrakes greatly resemble the much larger male Azhdrhacos but lack the distinctive crests and frills that the male possesses. Azhdrorn are much more drab in coloration with the wingdrakes possessing brown colored feathery coats and gray colored scales which makes them darker in coloration when compared to the brightly colored males.

## **Abilities**

Azhdrorn are usually indifferent towards hunters and prefer to keep their from monster hunters and their companions but are known to defend themselves and their flock mates when threatened. These wingdrakes are capable of taking to the air to avoid the attacks of hunters and other threats and can retaliate by striking foes with their beaked jaws, powerful wings and kicking legs. These wingdrakes can also defend themselves by spitting out a foul smelling glob of mucus that can inflict hunters and other threats with the stench/soiled status ailment.

## **Ecology**

### Taxonomy

* **Kingdom**: Animalia
* **Phylum**: Chordata
* **Class**: Reptilia
* **Clade**: Dinosauria
* **Order**: Wyveropoda
* **Family**: Dracanomimidae
* **Subfamily**: Ornithodraconosaurinae
* **Tribe**: Gryphonini
* **Genus**: Pteranoraptor
* **Species**: P. vulgaris
* **Name Meaning**: Vulgar Winged Thief
* **Common Name**: Azhdrorn

### Habitat Range

Azhdrorn are known to inhabit a large range of environments due to their ability to fly and travel between locations with ease but show a strong preference to productive ecosystems such as forests and jungles but they have been spotted inhabiting swamps and mountains from time to time. These wingdrakes can be found inhabiting locales such as the Verdant Hills, Great Forest, Primal Forest, Deserted Island, Flooded Forest, Ruined Pinnacle, Shrine Ruin, Ancient Forest and Coral Highlands.

### Ecological Niche

Azhdrorn are omnivores and as such spend a good deal of time rooting through forest undergrowth in search of mushrooms, seeds, fruits, nuts, insects and other small animals. Azhdrorn flocks are targets to predation from small and large predators alike and are frequently attacked by packs of opportunistic Jaggi, Wroggi and Jagras and their alpha counterparts as well as from large predators like Tetsucabra, Tzitzi-Ya-Ku and Najarala. Azhdrorn often seek out the protection from the larger and much more powerful males of the species and flocks that possess an Azhdrhacos defending them are rarely targeted by most predators.

### Biological Adaptations

Azhdrorn are mostly covered in a shaggy coat of pycnofibers and leathery skin that protect the wingdrake from the weather of their environment. The raven-like beaks of these wingdrakes lack the small tusk shaped protrusions along the side that are present in males but are still capable of processing hard to process food items. The unique wing muscles of these wingdrakes allow them to retract their wing membrane against the forelimb this allows the wing to be protected while the wingdrake uses its wings in quadrupedal movement.

### Behavior

Azhdrorn are much more tolerant and docile towards hunters than the males and will only attack when they feel threatened but usually prefer to flee the area when not being backed up by a male.

### Social Behavior

Azhdrorn are known to preen the feathers of their flock members and young as a form of social bonding.