Basaltic Wyvird
As populations of Avianaquarius shortatailus thrived around the archipelago that makes up zone O competition became an issue and populations began to feed on different types of prey. One population began specializing on the small taratans such as members of the genus Cyclodia, speciating overtime.
2 feet long, wingspan of 4 feet
Originated in zones O, only on the southernmost island in the archipelago where the currents come closest to the shore, and zone 25
Avianaquarius pandionensis are highly selective when it comes to nesting grounds, only breeding on the southernmost island in the archipelago. This island is home to a dormant volcano and is covered in large basalt fields, soaking up sunlight, providing an ideal location for incubation. Along with its close proximity to an ocean current that provides food, all members of Avianaquarius pandionensis breed here. With so many individuals in the same place, there will be squabbles over space and so the adaptations developed to help dispatch prey work to nip at individuals entering their space. Due to their more aggressive attitudes when it comes to breeding space, they often deter Avianaquarius shortatailus from nesting on the island, although they do still nest here in certain areas.
Since the vegetation on the basalt fields was scarce, they build nests primarily out of rocks with females picking a male partner who can build the best looking nest and fend off thieves who try to steal pebbles for their own nests. Once a female picks a certain male, they remain partners for their entire lives and rear 1 clutch of eggs every year, starting at the beginning of the wet season. The females lay about 5-7 eggs that take about 1 month to hatch, with the male and female taking turns incubating the eggs. The resulting hatchlings will be hungry and thus beg the adults to get food, which results in the male and female taking turns guarding the young and hunting prey in zone 25. As one of the two heads out, they join several other individuals as several pairs of eyes are better at spotting prey than just one. Once prey is spotted, they tuck in their wings and extend their legs forwards as they dive into the water to snatch their prey. The elongated talons help hook into the victim and maintain a better grip than their ancestors. Once they catch a meal, they take it back to the nest to feed the young while the one brooding the juveniles takes off to go hunting for the next meal.
Once the young reach around 3 months old, the pair become aggressive and chase off the subadults from the nest. At this point they are more than capable of fending for themselves and thus begin their adult lives. Even when they are independent, the subadults still take another 5 months to reach sexual maturity and as such often spend their time away from the breeding grounds as they have no need to nest.
