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Description
A casefile for the consideration of the Intergalactic Xenobiological Initiative [IXI]. In accordance with the Initiative's rules and guidelines, certain pieces of information are withheld from public access.
Planet: Ionia
Animal: Grounded Bjord (Bjord australis)
Habitat: The Arid Tundra
Diet: Opportunist - fungi, small animals, carrion
Niche: Small terrestrial-nesting avian

Description: Despite what one might expect, the bjords of Ionia are hexapodal. Their primary limbs are leathery wings that allow for true flight; their secondary limbs are a pair of strong talons, the very feet on which they walk. Bjords have extraordinary tertiary limbs: boney phalanges that in reality are a pair of three-toed claws, but behave uncannily like six crab legs. The tertiary limbs provide an insane grip, and allow the bjord to cling to surfaces with the same stubbornness as Earth's beetles or ticks.

The behavioral and biological diversity of the bjord is quite remarkable: through unique beak shapes and varying sizes, bjords have found a way to adapt to near any environment on the face of Ionia. The Grounded Bjord (Bjord australis) is no exception. This species lives a dual terrestrial-aerial lifestyle, being capable of flight but preferring to nest in large structures on the ground. It is common knowledge that the sands of the Arid Tundra behave uncannily like compact snow. Grounded bjords use this to their advantage, making large structures on the ground that are structurally similar to the nests of Potter Wasps, but constructed in a manner similar to igloos.

Grounded bjords have predator avoidance down to a science. The holes in their nests are large enough only for bjords to get in and get out, and the destruction of said nests would take quite the exertion of energy in predators... all for a barely filling meal. Worse comes to worse, grounded bjords do have a threat display: they prop onto their tertiary limbs and violently splay their wings, puffing their chest to reveal two large air sacs that rhythmically radiate an eerie light. This cacophonous display can be overwhelming to some predators, and a desperate "don't eat me!" to others.

End of casefile. Awaiting approval of Dr. ████████ and Onlooker ██████████.

Description
A casefile for the consideration of the Intergalactic Xenobiological Initiative [IXI]. In accordance with the Initiative's rules and guidelines, certain pieces of information are withheld from public access.
Planet: Ionia
Animal: Grounded Bjord (Bjord australis)
Habitat: The Arid Tundra
Diet: Opportunist - fungi, small animals, carrion
Niche: Small terrestrial-nesting avian

Description: Despite what one might expect, the bjords of Ionia are hexapodal. Their primary limbs are leathery wings that allow for true flight; their secondary limbs are a pair of strong talons, the very feet on which they walk. Bjords have extraordinary tertiary limbs: boney phalanges that in reality are a pair of three-toed claws, but behave uncannily like six crab legs. The tertiary limbs provide an insane grip, and allow the bjord to cling to surfaces with the same stubbornness as Earth's beetles or ticks.

The behavioral and biological diversity of the bjord is quite remarkable: through unique beak shapes and varying sizes, bjords have found a way to adapt to near any environment on the face of Ionia. The Grounded Bjord (Bjord australis) is no exception. This species lives a dual terrestrial-aerial lifestyle, being capable of flight but preferring to nest in large structures on the ground. It is common knowledge that the sands of the Arid Tundra behave uncannily like compact snow. Grounded bjords use this to their advantage, making large structures on the ground that are structurally similar to the nests of Potter Wasps, but constructed in a manner similar to igloos.

Grounded bjords have predator avoidance down to a science. The holes in their nests are large enough only for bjords to get in and get out, and the destruction of said nests would take quite the exertion of energy in predators... all for a barely filling meal. Worse comes to worse, grounded bjords do have a threat display: they prop onto their tertiary limbs and violently splay their wings, puffing their chest to reveal two large air sacs that rhythmically radiate an eerie light. This cacophonous display can be overwhelming to some predators, and a desperate "don't eat me!" to others.

End of casefile. Awaiting approval of Dr. ████████ and Onlooker ██████████.