Courier Phlyer

The courier phlyer is derived from a population of scarlet phlyers that fed on baseejie 'flowers'. This anomalous population already had traits that set them apart from the mainline populations of scarlet phlyers, including the regurgitation of the inedible chitinous shell that surrounds the sugar water they fed on. Over time, this population's relationship with the baseejie gave rise to new, fruiting baseejies, including the weeping baseejie and the greatcap baseejie. The courier phlyer originated on Ramul Island, where it is warm enough for their primary food sources to fruit year-round. From there, they spread to Drake via the Soma Strait. The courier phlyer's diet primarily consists of the starchy or gel-filled interiors of the greatcap and weeping baseejies. Like their ancestors, they are able to regurgitate the inedible skins and shells that they happen to ingest in the form of densely-packed pellets. Courier Phlyers have grown larger in order for them to better feed on the baseejies' larger fruits. Courier phlyers also consume the fruits of the Emeraldfir and Crystalfir, but they prefer the Emeraldfir's larger fruits due to them having a higher gel-to-skin ratio than the smaller crystalfir fruits. Lastly, the courier phlyer eats the fruits of the qupe tree and the fruit-leaves of the mangot that was introduced by the seashrog. The courier phlyer does not eat smaller fruits like those of the fuzzweed due to their larger size and demand for larger fruits. The courier phlyer's feet have developed digits that they use to grip the sides of trees so they can feed on some of the larger fruits in their diet without having to worry about carrying them around in their inadequately-sized beaks. These toes are derived from their ancestor's elongated, claw-tipped feet. Sexual selection has caused the male's pattern and head crest to become more extravagant. Meanwhile, the females are now predominantly green in order to blend in with the green foliage they often inhabit. This also greatly boosts their photosynthetic capabilities, as the entirety of the female's body is covered in a darker, duller variant of the photosynthetic green pigment that is found in the courier phlyer's wings and stabilizers. The courier phlyer is a migratory species. It winters on Ramul Island, and breeds in Drake. There is also a permanent population that lives on Ramul island. Flocks of courier phlyers will nest in groups. With their combined numbers and size, they are often able to chase off the indigo wutuu and thwart their attempts at infiltrating their nests. The nests are often built atop towering grovecrystals and glountains. Young courier phlyers will remain with their parents until they migrate to Ramul Island for the winter. After the parents show their young how to cross the Soma Strait, the young are left to fend for themselves and find a new flock to join. Courier phlyers can live to be 20 years old.