PHYSIOLOGY
The species known as Vulpinura rimorae, commonly referred to as foxbirds or other descriptive monikers are a quadrupedal, monotreme, non-humanoid species. They are externally characterized by a vulpine-like body and head, decorated with brilliantly-coloured plumage in long, elegant feathers. Infants of the species has more noticeable vestigial wings which develop into a stiffened, feathered limbs at adulthood. Their body colours are generally dark, ranging from black to red and purple, even blue. The highlight colour of the feathers varies extensively from individual to individual. They are also characterized by bird-like legs, scaled with formidable talons on the end of each toe.
The species has forward facing eyes and an elongated snout. Their sense of sight is keener than a human's by far, with binocular and low-light vision, due to their tapetum lucidum and they have a protective nictitating membrane which acts as a protective inner eyelid. Their eyes are generally coloured yellow, green, gold, blue or grey but the tapetum lucidum causes them to reflect back blue-green to green at night. Rare members of the species with albinism (who usually have a host of other health problems) reflect back red/pink.
The elongated jaw has a total of 42 teeth, most noticeably of which are the four canines. Whilst externally resembling most Earth canids, the very fact that this is a monotreme eliminates the likelihood of any close relation to a known canid species.
There are no external means of telling the difference between a male and female of the species, only an examination by a veterinarian or experienced animal handler can make that determination. These creatures have cloaca, much like birds, beavers or reptiles, and so all forms of reproductive organs are located internally.
(A typical member of the species)
BIOLOGY
The most notable trait of this species is the fact that it is empathic. Unlike some empathic humanoids, who use moral and ethical judgments, these animals do not restrict their abilities to sensory input alone. They are capable of, and willing to, project their feelings onto onlookers. The infants' first example was the projection of extreme hatching hunger onto the onlooking Starfleet officers during hatching.
The expected lifespan of one of these species is unknown at this point in time. Due to significant differences between this species and it's physically similar vulpine species, no comparison may be made. Bird-like traits internally and externally may significantly extend the expected 10-20 year lifespan.
Adult biology comes from a single litter and the skeleton of one adult (presumably the female parent). Musculature is well-developed, although more tending towards slender--wiry, rather than bulky. The current specimens exhibit a large number of fast-twitch muscles, and their noticed hunting tactics tend towards that build: ambush predators prone to fast chases, pounces and other short-distance tactics.
The youth are born precocial, with a full set of deciduous teeth and vestigial wings. Eyes and ears are open, and the young are fully furred/feathered. They are capable of eating adult food from birth, albeit in smaller portions so they do not choke. They are far from fully developed in intelligence. Like humanoid infants, they are capable of little communication until they are further developed. Their primary means of communication at onset is through empathic projection. Their vocal responses develop in time. The first few days of their life is enormously preoccupied with eating.
As growth progresses, the infants develop more vocal communication, although this is primarily used to garner attention from onlookers before empathic communication or body language is utilized to express the individuals needs, desires or information. By subadult and adulthood, the vocal chords are fully developed as well as the soft palate and the creatures are capable of creating the most vivid recreations of sounds. They can reproduce humanoid voices, musical instruments and almost any sound they have thus far been exposed to--that they have chosen to mimic. Not all sounds have caught their interest enough to be repeated.
Scans and tests show that this species is an obligate carnivore, with no interest in thus far proffered vegetative materials or fruits, even for flavor. They have a limited palate, their mouth displaying fewer taste receptors (gustatory cells) on the tongue, soft palate, upper esophagus, cheek and epiglottis. Evidence suggests that they lack the capacity to taste vegetal flavors and perhaps lack an ability to taste sweetness. The young hatched thus far take evident enjoyment in consumption of all sources of protein offered, be it fish, terrestrial, avian or insect. Scans show that this species is lacking in the ability to make vitamin A from beta-carotene and must ingest it in pre-formed state. In addition, they have high requirements for arginine and all meals must include sufficient amounts to keep the young healthy as they grow.
High amounts of protein are required in the diet to keep these animals healthy. Feeding limited amounts of carbohydrates to test what they will desire is acceptable, but it is encouraged that their primary source of food be specifically designed with their nutrient requirements in mind and fed in the replicated form of meat, to appeal to their taste.
BEHAVIOR
A great deal of information on the behaviour of this species is lacking. However, enough has been observed in the first two days that some theory can be put forth.
The initial week or two of infancy should include very little movement and coordination. Although precocial, this is limited to being fully furred/feathered and capable of movement. They are not especially coordinated or graceful at this age and any treatment should include the fact that their balance is precarious. Their ability to communicate is also limited, mostly to empathic projections of basic emotions in onlookers--any onlooker who has the misfortune of being around when one is hungry--and guttural noises.
It is theorized that in addition to vocal communication, which may grow to become quite sophisticated, learning the body-language of the infants is essential. The vestigial wings are useless for flight, but seem to be intricately involved in expression of emotions, along with the tail and ear position, not unlike many other animals. More will be added as studies improve knowledge.
Further examination of the infants as they developed and interacted with each other. As age has progressed, the foxbirds have become more vocally communicative, mimicking noises heard around them with uncanny and increasing accuracy as their vocal chords develop. They are growing with increasing strength and their appetites are increasing proportionately. Meals are being limited to only four times a day, and they tend to prefer protein sources with the requisite compounds listed before in addition to marrow-bones and liver, providing higher amounts of boron and magnesium. Development is in leaps and bounds, at the age of two months becoming sub-adults, around half fully grown size, but as developed as an adult, albeit still figuring out how all their parts work.
At adulthood, their ability to mimic resembles that of the Earth lyrebird in its complexity and accuracy. As noted above, the vocalizations at this point are used to gain attention, before more complex methods of communication (empathy and body language) are used to express more detailed information. Vestigial wings and their posture are a detailed indicator of emotional state, while the ears are a complex communicator, not unlike other canids. Lips and the state of fur and tail also contribute to overall communication. Close observation must be continued in order to thoroughly analyze their attempts at communication. Empathy is a much more direct method, and one they resort to with ease, but generally speaking they are more subtle in empathic communication in adulthood. For example, when expressing hunger, they inspire hunger in an onlooker, rather than express that they, themselves, are hungry.