Vultoph

The vultoph split from its ancestor. As there were no large flying scavengers, it has taken upon itself to fill the vulture-shaped void in Sagan 4's ecosystem, now feeding primarily on organisms which are already dead. It is able to live primarily on carrion despite being a large endotherm because it can soar over long distances in search of food, covering a vast range in a very short amount of time. Like most large scavengers, it will still hunt small prey to supplement its diet.

To adapt for a diet of carrion, the vultoph has undergone a few physical changes. Its walking toe is very long, keeping its flight feathers clear of rotting flesh. Its head and neck are almost completely featherless apart from its ears, discouraging decomposers from infesting its skin through its feathers, and its eyes are set very far back, preventing rotting material from entering them and causing infection. To avoid being poisoned by rotting meat, it has a very strong immune system and an extremely acidic stomach.

Unlike other ophreys, the vultoph is not territorial. A single carcass of something especially large can feed many, so there is no use fighting over it. It is common to see so many vultophs feeding from one carcass that the carcass isn't even visible beneath the writhing sea of wings and mandibles. They commonly follow predators on their hunts, hoping to eat whatever is left over once the predators have had their fill. They will also circle above creatures that appear to be dying, waiting until it's finally time to swoop in and commence their feast.

Like its ancestor, the vultoph has unidirectional macrolungs, two pairs of spiracles, and slotted wings. This allows it to soar very high in the air with little energy and without suffocating. Its skin is dark to help it resist increased exposure to ultraviolet light in the upper atmosphere. Its feather color always depends on the color of rocks in the biome it resides in with spots or stripes to blend with low-growing flora. Its "tail crest" is colorful to communicate with others of its kind and can be hidden under its tail feathers while on the ground.

The vultoph nests on the ground; like most flying saucebacks it is already ironically very poor at climbing or perching, and having such long stilt-like toes only makes it worse. It nests communally among rocks or shrubs, where it will be well-hidden. Their chicks can run soon after hatching, but cannot yet fly and must be brought food by their parents. As their stomachs are weaker and their immune systems not quite as developed, hatchlings must eat fresher meat.

As its head is mostly naked, the vultoph is one of the few descendants of the interbiat to have the short skin-based portion of its pinnae visible. The flight feathers remain in place on the ear, providing lift in flight and aiding in directing sound into the ear canal.