Species Name: Fire Flitlings
Average Height: 1 - 3 Inches
Average Length: 3 - 6 Inches
Average Wingspan: A very large range, 4 inches up to 16 inches
Lifespan: 70 years to 120 years
Food: Omnivorous; they often eat fruit, vegetables, nectar, bugs, small mammals, small birds and eggs
Appearance: The Flitling's wing colouration are based on any moth or butterfly. The body's coat colour can match the wing colour or can be unique. They have a short, rounded muzzle with a very powerful bite. They have sharp canines and grinding teeth. Their ears are relatively large but not very sensitive, they use scent and sight primarily as their preferred senses. Their short powerful legs are useful for climbing and a long tail used for balance and steering when flying. They have large, powerful wings used for flight. When landed the wings can fold down against the body or be held up behind the body
Flitlings can breath fire, and while their fire tends to generally match their wings, it can be any colour.
Habitat: Flitlings typically live solitarily or in small colonies. They make nests and shelters in small holes or crevices in trees and rocks, in ducts, old barns and bird houses. The territory of colony groups doesn't tend to overlap neighbouring colonies, but solitary Flits will often pass between territories. Flits are closely connected with not only nature, but also with humans and often take advantage of them. They are commonly found in gardens, forests, meadows, cottages and cabins, and within towns. They have a broad range of habitat they enjoy settling, however Flitlings cannot stand extreme cold.
General Biology: Flitlings reach sexual maturity at 15 years of age. Flits may can mate for life but otherwise they will come together for the mating season and once the young are independent they will go their own way. Flitlings impress a prospective breeding partner or mate by presenting what they consider to be "treasures" that they had collected, for example things like buttons, candy wrappers and marbles have been recorded. The more flashy the treasure the better the suitor's appeal. After breeding females will lay 1-2 eggs in the nest and will keep them incubated for 2 weeks until they hatch. The hatchlings are already self sufficient but often remain with one or both parents until a few weeks old when their wings have strengthened to the point of being able to fly.
Flight Mechanics: Flitlings have hollow bones like birds as well as a small 'gas bladder' which allows them to decrease their weight. On average they can fly from 2 to 4 hours before they are forced to rest, but some have been clocked at about 6-7 hours when doing distance flights. Their gas bladder is filled with what is speculated to be most likely a hydrogen or a helium based gas that serves to help increase their lift as well as spark their fire. This gas is created by small bacteria which live in the rugae of the gas bladder. They also have very powerful muscles in their wings which help to produce a great deal of lift when flying.
Diurnal or Nocturnal: Flitlings can and have be spotted out and active at any time of the day. Some Flits appear to be more drawn to nocturnal activities while others are seen more often through the day.
Communication: Flitlings communicate both vocally and through physical cues. Vocally they express themselves through clicks, chirps, chattering and screeching. Physically they make use of their eyes, lips and teeth, ears, 'feather' crown, wings and tail.
Behaviour: Flitlings are often little tricksters. They enjoy 'stealing' stuff for their collections that they deem are shiny or a treasure. They are a relatively curious creature that enjoys exploring and aren't easily frightened by curious on looking humans. Due to this they can sometimes end up getting into a little bit of trouble and have to try to get themselves out. They are very smart creatures despite their small size and the common association with the bug. They retained some of the brilliant mind of the dragon and while they are incapable of producing human speech they can be easily taught many tricks and have a form of written language, though the translation has not yet been tackled by scientists.
