Male Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Serinus Oscinemus Gryphon
Birthday: Friday, September 20, 2024
Owner: Kestrad
Element: Neutral 
Newly hatched oscinemus gryphons are naked, pink, and helpless, their eyes fully closed, incapable of doing much but begging for food when they hear the sound of wings nearby. However, within only a few days, their fur and down grow in, in the same striking colors and patterns that they will display in adulthood. Oscinemus gryphons come in many colors and patterns, not all of which breed true, and so for many magi it is an exciting time when their hatchlings start displaying their colors. With their new coats in place, oscinemus gryphons become much more mobile and curious. Those being raised by gryphon parents will explore every cranny in their nest cavity while waiting for their next meal, but ones being raised by magi will often insist on hitching a ride on their companion as they go about their day.
Oscinemus gryphons are small, cute, and sociable creatures, kept by magi mostly for companionship and bred for their large variety of colors. They have some utility as companions as well, boasting surprisingly deep reserves of magic for their size. What this magic is used for is unclear - their chirps might be slightly more enticing and calming than those of ordinary birds, and they might be a bit more capable of digging through hard materials than suggested by their small claws, but these are all far more subtle effects than would be expected compared to the amount of magic they can lend to their companion. Since wild oscinemus gryphons are uncommon but usually considered pests, with their penchant for getting into small spaces to steal food, the most common theory is that they likely started out as ordinary pests that some magi adopted due to cuteness, and this relationship proved so beneficial that the sociable little gryphons started choosing to be companions instead, evolving into what they are today. Oscinemus gryphons do not like to be alone, and so it is suggested that magi keep at least a pair, with a whole flock being even better. It is not uncommon to see magi wandering around covered in them, their little claws clinging to the magi's robes, wings beating to keep themselves upright. Oscinemus and passeri gryphon enthusiasts often debate each other which is the better type to cover oneself in, but unfortunately it is not recommended to mix the two varieties, as passeri gryphons will attack oscinemus gryphons.
Sprite art: Mysfytt (hatchling) | Description: Kestrad