Adult Male
Name: Xanthippus
Species: Gang-gang Cockatoo
Birthday: Friday, December 15, 2023
Owner: VilaWolf
Element: Light 
Adult gang-gangs learn some measure of calm compared to hatchlings, at least when raised by magi, and are slightly more likely to wait for permission to take something that catches their fancy than steal it outright - though given the strong, bitey beaks on adults, usually magi don't bother trying to deny their companion whatever materials they claim. Adult gang-gangs do tend to be a bit more discerning, though, taking things that are more likely to work in ornament construction, and will proudly bring some of the resulting baubles to their magi as thanks. The remaining ornaments tend to end up decorating trees around the Keep as the gang-gangs use them to attract mates. Sometimes this leads to squabbles with ornate sylphs, but it's not uncommon to find a bird and a sylph begrudgingly working together on the same tree for mutual benefit, singing and chiming what seem to be instructions at each other.
Gang-gang cockatoos originate from Taggelisk and the Ixan Jungle, where it is warm even when the Keep is snowbound. By a stroke of lucky timing, they most commonly start trying to attract mates at the same time magi start preparing for winter solstice festivities. This is highly fortunate as they are excellent ornament-makers, and males cover trees with their creations in order to display to prospective partners just in time to make the trees around the Keep very festive. Females are capable of making ornaments as well, and signal their choice in partner by helping to finish decorating the chosen tree, but first will spend a great deal of time landing on each prospective mate's tree and singing while inspecting it carefully. Males who sing back while decorating are more likely to be chosen as mates. Bonded pairs will sing lovely duets together while they decorate and build their nests. Since they eagerly pick up new songs and will invent new variations on them, magi have taught the population at the Keep a great variety of traditional solstice tunes to help set a festive atmosphere.
Sprite art: Mysfytt (adult) | Description: Kestrad