Guide to Dragons

Bird Dragon

Name: Bird Dragon (Draco avem)
Element: Ice
Size: 4 - 5 feet (1.2192 - 1.524 meters) tall, 6 - 7 feet (1.8288 - 2.1336 meters) long, 125 - 150 pounds (56.699 - 68.0389 kilograms)
Diet: Fish, young mammals (bear cubs, fox cubs etc.), birds if available
Habitat: Cold regions

Description:

One thing you may notice is a pattern in ice dragons. This pattern being, for the most part, many ice-breathing dragons migrate most of the year.

The Bird Dragon is no exception.

As I'm sure you've noticed, many dragons' names come from other animals they resemble. The Bird Dragon you may compare to a strange combination of wyvern and bird.

Wyverns are extinct dragons, hailing from a branch of dragons (that, unfortunately, died out) known as drakes. Most drakes were wingless with four legs. Some were said to be able to change their forelimbs into wings (I have yet to find solid evidence on this theory). Perhaps that was why a two-legged, winged dragon was classified under a flightless branch.

But back to the dragon at hand.

A migratory species, the Bird Dragon typically feeds on whatever comes its way. For example, during their migrate south, they might feed on fish that they are able to catch from the water.

Like many other ice elementals, these dragons don't fly away from the cold weather, but towards it. Many other animals tend to try avoid cold weather, but, being as they are, ice dragons love it. Although there are shortages on food, the cold is a good place to raise their young, due to the lack of predators.

Bird Dragons mate twice a year, once in early fall and again later in fall. This usually leaves the female with a total of anywhere from six to thirteen eggs to care for over winter.

I think that may be a bit much to ask of any human reading this.

In any case, the female makes it to the nesting ground, somewhere near the north pole. The breeding grounds, I believe, are farther south, however. So, a dragon ready to lay eggs may have to travel a long distance to even lay them. A price migratory species must pay.

The eggs actually hatch four to seven weeks after being laid, and any that have not hatched within that time limit become food for their siblings (Nature is cruel but it recycles nutrients).

The young are typically able to take care of themselves from hatching, but will stay with their mother until they can fly, roughly five months later.

After those five months, the mother leaves.

Then the juveniles form into a pack, one which they will stay together into adulthood until they die.

Each pack has a designated "leader", making them very dependent on hierarchy. If trying to tame this species, I suggest trying to become their alpha. If you do this, you just gained between three and five dragons followers who will protect you.

I do warn you of their sharp talons and beaks. This is precisely the reason I am not telling you how or encouraging you to try and tame them. It's a dangerous feat.

I will hint that it involves fighting off multiple dragons at once, to discourage you.

If you happen to be wandering around in some barren, icy wasteland for whatever reason and a pack does decide to try to eat you, relax. It will be over quickly.

Best to view these from a distance.