Gypceros/Purple Gypceros Ecology

Omnivorous Bird Wyverns with scaleless stocky bodies covered in a blueish-gray rubbery hide. Their most prominent feature is the lamp-like crest atop their heads. Other unusual features include the peg-like teeth in their jaw and the shape of their beak, which extends upwards much like a nose horn. Besides that, their pink tails have a bulbous tip and can extend to whip enemies due to the elastic properties of their skin.

Gypceros are Bird Wyverns that feed on just about anything, though they particularly favour insects like Flashbugs and Thunderbugs along with mushrooms. Hunters have reported Gypceros mistaking shiny objects in their inventory such as crystals and ores as their food, which leads to the Gypceros chasing them and stealing the items. Although they have been sighted in open fields and forests, they prefer to inhabit dark, humid areas such as swamps, marshlands and caves where their food sources are most commonly found. Their rubbery hide may be an adaptation to their diet and preferred habitats, protecting them from the electrical shocks emitted by Thunderbugs and the predatory Khezu which dwell in caves. As a consequence, Shock Traps are also ineffective on them. [Additionally, their bioluminescence may be an adaptation to living in dimly-lit areas as well.] By clapping their beak and luminous crest together, they are able to generate blinding flashes of light to disorient and blind enemies, [which may be especially effective in dark areas.] The crest is made of either ore or Lightcrystals and varies between different individuals. Being immune to their own flashes, Flash Bombs also have no effect on them. When enraged, their crest will flicker repeatedly and the patches of skin surrounding their eyes will also flush red. During the mating season, males will shine and flash their crests to attract females to their nests. They will also collect shiny objects to impress females.

Gypceros are well-known for spitting poisonous saliva from their poison sacs in self-defense. Their hides resist toxins and poisons, and it is theorized that symbiotic bacteria living on them are responsible for this. Gypceros have even developed mutually beneficial relationships with certain plants which even require Gypceros venom to grow. [These plants produce fruits that Gypceros enjoy feeding on, so Gypceros will spit their poison around them to kill off competing plants while fertilizing them. These plants also rely on Gypceros for spreading their seeds around through their droppings.]

Being the largest and heaviest Bird Wyverns known, Gypceros are sometimes considered to be Flying Wyverns. They have stubby wings and are rather poor flyers, but make up for it by having strong legs which even allows them to run on walls in certain cavernous areas. They contain Dash Extract in their bodies, which allows them to move around without expending much stamina. Despite their size, they are the favoured prey of the Temnoceran known as Nerscylla, which has been observed to feed on Gypceros trapped in their webs and skin their hides for use as a crude form of armour to protect themselves.

Being timid but intelligent, Gypceros occasionally exhibit thanatosis when confronted by threats. They play dead to fool enemies into approaching them, then thrash around to injure them. This behavior is more commonly observed when they are exhausted. Some hunters are sent back to fight the Gypceros they supposedly killed when this occurs.

Gypceros has a subspecies known as Purple Gypceros that tends to live in hotter, more tropical environments although they can be found in all of the same habitats as normal Gypceros. [As large predatory monsters are more common in warmer areas, they have possibly evolved to produce more toxic poison to adapt.] They are also better at defending themselves, being more resilient and stronger than normal Gypceros. Their hide has a more vivid purple colour and their tails are green in colour as well, [probably serving as aposematic colouration to warn predators of their higher toxicity.] Besides that, they use their flashing attacks more frequently in battle and will chain other attacks directly into it.

Yian Garuga Ecology

Predatory Bird Wyverns covered with with dark purple tinted shells and scales, along with large defensive spikes on its head and back. Besides being used to scoop up smaller prey like a shovel, its large pointed beak is extremely sharp and able to cut through the flesh of other monsters. The lower beak is larger and has a jagged edge compared to the smooth upper beak. Other notable external features include its pointed ears, tufts of white mane and venomous tail club.

The violent, warlike nature of Yian Garuga makes them one of the most, if not the most feared and dangerous Bird Wyvern species. Such is their aggression that they enjoy picking fights with random monsters just to test their strength. In fact, they are often observed to be missing an ear and/or an eye from fighting so much with other monsters. Yian Garuga are mostly solitary creatures, though they have rarely been seen in pairs possibly during the mating season, and groups consisting of more than two have been seen on certain islands.

Besides Neopterons such as Konchu, Yian Garuga's diet consists of any other monster it can kill, along with carrion. They hunt for Herbivores such as Aptonoth and other Bird Wyverns such as Velocidrome and Velociprey, [though they are not as well adapted to hunt larger prey compared to exclusively carnivorous predatory wyverns.] *Yian Garuga are somewhat poor at locating ground-dwelling Neopterons compared to Yian Kut-Ku, so they often observe where Yian Kut-Kus find their prey and steal their territory. Due to their poor parental behavior, Yian Garuga are even facultative brood parasites of Kut-Ku, as a female Garuga will sometimes destroy the eggs in a Kut-Ku's nest before laying its own.* [Yian Garuga also abstain from killing Kut-Ku during the mating season to prevent killing Kut-Ku whose broods they may have parasitised.]

Yian Garuga are share a similar distribution with Yian Kut-Ku, being found in jungles, temperate forests and swamps. However, they are occassionally found in volcanic areas such as the Volcanic Hollow. It has been suggested that these Yian Garuga may be migrating to follow Yian Kut-Ku or they may be looking for monsters to fight.

In terms of hunting behavior, Yian Garuga sometimes choose to hunt at night where their dark coloration makes them more difficult to spot. Their eyesight is good enough for them to hunt in the dark and their large ears give them excellent hearing. Unlike Kut-Ku, they are not startled or disoriented by loud noises. When hunting, they often stab and peck at prey with their beaks, or envenomate prey with their tail spikes, which respond to shocks by secreting venom. They are nimble enough to perform backflips to whip their tail in front of them when attacking prey, similar to a Rathian. However, unlike Rathian, the venomous thorns on their tails are arranged in such a way that they can also envenomate other monsters while whipping their tails sideways. [This is probably a defensive adaptation as they are physically frailer than many larger wyverns. Besides that, the large spines on their head and back,] together with their white manes and large ears, make them appear more intimidating to larger wyverns. Other notable characteristics include possessing the toughest shells of any Bird Wyvern, and powerful flame sacs on par with that of some Flying Wyverns. Similarly to Rathian and Rathalos, their mouths will constantly burn with fire when enraged. 

Yian Garuga are noted to be especially crafty and are known to observe opponents rationally even when angered. Hunters have reported that they will avoid pitfall traps, especially when enraged. Even if they are caught in pitfall traps, their strong legs give them high agility and allow them to escape quickly. The sharp claws on their feet also cut through the traps with ease. Besides that, they will use their supersonic roars to stun more evasive prey like Velocidrome as well as their opponents while in combat.

Just as in their close relatives Yian Kut-Ku, four-toed variants of Yian Garuga which are probably recent mutations have appeared and are becoming more and more common. In the New World, the Yian Garuga there have possibly evolved more well-developed wings potentially allowing them to be more agile in the air. Special Tempered Scarred Yian Garuga in the New World which have lost an eye and an ear after surviving a battle are even able to rapidly fire multiple fireballs in quick succession while airborne.

Yian Kut-Ku/Blue Yian Kut-Ku Ecology

Bird Wyverns characterized by their fan-like ear frills and large, yellow beaks. A orange stripe runs centrally down the ridge of the upper beak, and there are orange markings under each eye as well. The significantly larger and bulkier lower beak is used to dig and scoop up prey such as Konchu hidden underground. Its body is covered in orange-pink plates and beige scales while its wing membranes are deep blue in colour.

Due to their lightweight frame, small stature and hollow bones, Yian Kut-Ku can move very fast on the ground and are competent fliers. However, they are not as agile in the air as some larger Flying Wyverns so they tend to spend more time on land. Thanks to the large ear frills surrounding their ears, they have an extremely powerful sense of hearing. Although this allows them to detect and avoid potential threats, loud sounds will startle and disorient them. While they are fully capable of defending themselves against smaller predators such as Velocidrome and their packs, they are often preyed upon by larger predators like Rathian and Najarala. When confronted by a potential threat, they attempt to appear bigger than they really are by spreading their wings, flaring out their ear frills, and shriek out a loud squawking roar. They hope that this show of bravado will discourage predators but if it fails they will immediately flee the area, [particularly if the predator in question is larger and more powerful]. Yian Kut-Ku are also capable of spitting a flaming liquid in self-defense, albeit less effectively than larger wyverns which are better adapted to using their flame sacs offensively. While these fireballs are effective in killing smaller monsters, they may not successfully deter larger wyverns. Like many wyverns, they may use their tail as a weapon in combat. 

Yian Kut-Ku inhabit a wide variety of tropical and temperate habitats and are only absent from harsh environments such as deserts. Very rarely, they travel to volcanic areas, possibly to consume coal and ores to fuel their flame sac. They are omnivores feeding on ground dwelling Neopterons, worms and honey. Adults are even capable of swallowing Konchu whole when they roll up into a ball for protection. They also use their beaks to crush hard-shelled nuts and fruits. Similar to Hypnocatrice, they swallow rocks and stones as gastroliths to help them digest their food.

*During breeding season, female Yian Kut-Ku grow feathers on their abdomen which are used to keep their eggs warm. These feathers can be considered a remnant of their ancestors.* After the eggs hatch and the chicks are born the mother watches over them and feeds them honey and insects till they reach a certain age. *If the weather is favourable throughout the year, Yian Kut-Ku will breed all year round. This "population explosion" of Yian Kut-Ku may cause food to become scarce and many will die as a result though the population will gradually recover again.*

Yian Kut-Ku are closely related to Yian Garuga. However, Yian Garuga are highly aggressive towards Yian Kut-Ku. Sometimes a Garuga will take over a Kut-Ku's territory and even kill the smaller Bird Wyvern. *Female Yian Garuga will also destroy the eggs of a Kut-Ku and lay their own eggs in the nest, leaving the Kut-Ku as a victim of brood parasitism.*

Yian Kut-Ku also have a relatively rare Subspecies known as Blue Yian Kut-Ku which has similar behaviour. It is not known if Blue Yian Kut-Ku are a true subspecies that prefers to live in slightly different environments or if they are just a result of genetic mutation. Their shell is blue instead of pink and is more resistant to fire. Besides having a stronger flame sac and better aerial abilities, they are also physically stronger than normal Yian Kut-Ku especially when enraged.

Although Yian Kut-Ku were originally observed to have three toes on its feet, four-toed Yian Kut-Ku have appeared and have replaced all, if not almost all of the three-toed variants. This four-toed variant is thought to be a recent mutation.

Giadrome/Giaprey Ecology

Social pack-hunting Bird Wyverns with white-scaled bodies covered with blue stripes. Nearly identical to Velociprey and Velocidrome, they have a single backwards-pointing crest on their heads and their beaks are filled with thin, spike-like teeth. Their forelimbs each have seven razor-sharp claws, and each of their hindlimbs bear an enlarged claw on the first digit which is held off the ground.

Mature adults are known as Giadromes while immature subadults are known as Giaprey. As the alpha leader of the pack, Giadromes are larger in size and have a more prominent, brighter blue crest which shows that they are sexually mature. The middle claws of their forelimbs and their enlarged toe claws are further enlarged and bright blue in colour as well. *Unlike closely related Bird Wyverns such as Velociprey and Velocidrome, they are much more social and several packs may merge to form a larger one at times.* A Giadrome from one pack can even control and direct Giaprey from another pack. 

Giaprey and Giadrome packs are only found in snowy mountainous areas and frigid arctic regions. The coloration of their scales helps them blend easily into their environment and their hide is more insulated against the cold than most other Bird Wyverns. They mainly prey on small Herbivores such as Kelbi, Anteka and Popo but will often scavenge carrion from the kills of larger wyverns.

Being pack hunters, Giaprey and Giadrome are relatively intelligent and their highly-developed brains allow them to formulate hunting plans quite quickly. When hunting, they use a range of calls to communicate with each other to cooperate effectively. [Their large, yellow eyes likely give them good eyesight. Similar to Velociprey and Velocidrome, they hold on to prey with their teeth and use their claws to kill it.] However, they can also spit a freezing cold liquid that can freeze small monsters in their tracks. They have evolved this ability to better capture prey in their harsh habitats.

Giaprey and Giadrome are most closely related to Velociprey and Velocidrome, and are also closely related to Genprey and Gendrome as well as Ioprey and Iodrome.

Iodrome/Ioprey Ecology

Social pack-hunting Bird Wyverns covered with a slimy orange salamander-like hide with black blotches. They have a single crest located on their snouts and small horns on the back of their heads. Their forelimbs only have two clawed digits each, and each of their hindlimbs lack the enlarged claw on the first digit found in its close relatives. They instead rely more on their poison which can be spat out or administered through the four pairs of venomous fangs in their beaks.

Mature adults are known as Iodromes while immature subadults are known as Ioprey. As the alpha leader of the pack, Iodromes are larger in size and have a much larger and more prominent purple-tipped crest. These crests are probably used for sexual appeal by showing that the Iodrome is sexually mature and may have a thermoregulative role in scorching volcanic areas. Packs are only led by one dominant Iodrome, as the other adults are chased away upon reaching maturity to look for another pack to take over. [It's probable that a breeding Iodrome pair will temporarily unite their packs during the breeding season.]

Ioprey and Iodrome packs can be found in a wide variety of areas from jungles to mountainous areas to swamps and even volcanoes. This is due to the fact that they prey mainly on Neopterons such as Vespoid and Hornetaur, which is also the main reason for the evolution of their poison sacs and [their mostly toothless beaks which are used to crush Neopteron shells. Thus, they are able to survive in a broad spectrum of harsh and less fertile environments where large Herbivores are less plentiful.] However, given the chance they will scavenge for carrion or hunt for any large monster their poison can bring down, which includes Herbivores like Apceros, Aptonoth and Slagtoth and even small Bird Wyverns such as Yian Kut-Ku. They are a major hazard to miners as they frequently dwell in volcanic mining tunnels. [Other than that, their amphibian-like skin keeps them cool in hot volcanic areas as the mucus evaporates, acting like a form of perspiration.] 

Despite being quite low in the food chain, Ioprey and Iodrome are not often hunted by larger wyverns, as even their scales and bones are filled with toxins. Their bright aposematic coloration of their hide acts as a warning to potential predators. Their speed and agility also discourages predators from attacking them.

Ioprey and Iodrome are closely related to Velociprey and Velocidrome, Genprey and Gendrome, as well as Giaprey and Giadrome.