Crested Phlyer

Splitting from the tetrawing phlyer, the crested phlyer has specialized in scavenging corpses instead of hunting down its own prey. Having developed stronger wings, it has spread farther across the continent of Darwin and has formed many healthy populations in various areas. Males are born with crests which they will use when fully grown to attract potential mates. They mate for life.

Tending to form small flocks of 7-8 individuals, they form colonial nests of dried mud and bone where all members take turns caring for the young. These infants will be fed regurgitated bits of flesh and will soon be able to survive on their own. Mating occurs frequently at all times of the year and young are born several weeks afterwards.

This species is extremely hardy, and due to its diet of decayed flesh, has a strong immune system and are heavily resistant to diseases, though this tends to make them disease carriers themselves. While this tends to make predators more cautious around them, the phlyers themselves tend to prefer to allow the predators to eat their fill first before attempting to move, else they run the risk of injuring themselves.

These natural opportunists help to keep their regions healthy by removing dead and decaying matter. They vomit out large pellets (similarly to the owls of Earth) which contains all matter they cannot digest, and these pellets are easily broken down by numerous different species of detrivores, thus allowing nutrients to return back to the soil quicker.