Female Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Voltarian Phoenix
Birthday: Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Owner: schtefy
Element: Fire 
Voltarian phoenix hatchlings spend their first year growing. They are difficult to feed as their favorite food happens to be embers from the volcanoes of Voltar, but rodents and other small creatures will suffice. Females are easy to distinguish from males, which have brightly colored points by a month old. All Voltarian phoenix hatchlings will go through several molts, but unlike normal birds, these chicks will light themselves on fire to burn away old feathers and promote growth of newer, more vibrant ones.
It can take several years for a Voltarian phoenix to reach maturity, but when they do, they are sights to behold. While females' feathers remain a dark, shimmering blue, males, after their final molt, grow brilliant flame-colored feathers. These phoenixes are best seen at night, when they can be spotted traversing the skies over Voltar. They make their homes on volcano summits close to lava flows, setting up rocky nests. Males will sing to and dance for a female; females ultimately select the male with the most brilliant song and creative dance. They pair for life and lay a single egg every few years, leaving it to incubate in hot lava.
Sprite art: Tekla (hatchling) | Description: Tekla