Frida Fisisto

Frida Fisistos are a Solstice 2020 Event creature introduced on December 24th alongside Glacia Alsaltos. They are based on kingfishers and penguins. They are able to breed with Terura Fisistos, but they do not produce hybrid offspring.

## Growth

### Capsule

"A frost-like lattice lines the inside of this spherical capsule."

### Young

"Covered in a dense layer of soft down, this juvenile makes high-pitched peeping sounds every time it spots its caretaker. It can often be spotted eagerly exploring its immediate surroundings, so long as its parents or other chicks are nearby. However, it tends to shy away from heights and will crouch and chirp frantically if pushed close to the edge of such a drop."

### Adult

"Frida Fisistos seek out small, naturally formed caves in seaside cliffs in which to nest. Small groups live together and are very territorial about their home; they will chase off other birds with loud warning squawks that sound very different from their normal rattling calls. Their choice in abode is a practical one—due to their body shape, height is necessary to become airborne. After launching themselves into the air, Frida Fisistos flap rapidly until they begin to hover. They remain hovering for a short time as they adjust their position over the water before tilting into a steep dive. Frida Fisistos can reach depths of up to eighty meters and remain underwater for several minutes at a time, using their wings for propulsion. Their main source of food is fish, which are caught and swallowed whole. During the breeding season, parents will regurgitate part of their meal to feed to their chicks. Frida Fisistos are mostly monogamous, and nests generally consist of two to three breeding pairs and their youngest offspring.

The creatures that dwell in this rather desolate world still display some diversity in appearance, eating habits, and social behavior. Whether they have fur or feathers, skin or scales, their unique genetic makeup allows for a variety of colors and markings within each species. Despite limitations in food sources, herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores are all present in the food chain, and each species requires specialized care within a laboratory. Although the artificial setting of housing units and breeding pods precludes most opportunities to study true interspecific behavior, the interactions within and between species has been studied extensively in the wilderness by scientists daring enough to venture beyond the outpost’s walls."

## Extra Info

The information below is included in Frida Fisisto's creature notes on site.

### The Long Climb Home

"In order to return home after fishing, Fisistos will ride the surf up onto the craggy shore and begin the long ascent back to their nests. They climb using their thick claws for purchase and their beaks for stability, and they will occasionally take small, fluttering hops, maneuvering their wings for balance. The most desirable nesting spots appear to be the easiest to return to in this fashion, with well-carved paths marking the way home."

### First Flight

"While juveniles are rather hesitant to approach ledges and drops, as they near maturity, their parents begin to nudge them toward the mouths of their caves. Once ready for their first flight, a young Fisisto will take a waddling run and hurl themselves from their nest. However, if a juvenile doesn’t seem willing, their parents will chase them out and, in some rare cases, nip or toss their young from the nest."

### A Varied Range

"Although Fisistos generally fish during the day, the exact time of day seems to depend on the individual’s coloration. Those with dark- or cool-colored feathers tend to have the best success during the middle of the day, and their diets also suggest they go farther into deeper, open water. Fisistos with lighter colors tend to keep to shallower, coastal prey and hunt at dawn and dusk, when light reflects more off the water’s surface."

## Variations

### Body

The body gene also affects the color of a Fisisto's feet, beak, eye marking, fish (F sprite only), and haunch (M sprite only). The black body color (AA) gives Fisistos a crest.

Body color is shown above on Fisistos with corresponding wing colors and belly color Aa (gray).

### Belly

Belly color is shown above on Fisistos with body color AA (black) and wing color AA (black).

### Wings

Wing color is shown above on Fisistos with body color AA (black) and belly color Aa (gray).

## Trivia

* TFO uses Esperanto as a basis for creature names (although it's not always exact--accents are ignored and spellings occasionally shift). “Frida Fisisto” means “Cold Fisher.”
* The announcement on the forum introducing the Solstice creatures notes that Frida Fisistos are most likely a migratory species. More details can be read there.

## Acknowledgments

Art by: Virida • Descriptions by: rosastrasza, Shark