quillsfeather

The quillsfeather is a small avian species described in fantasy zoological compendia as native to the temperate forests of the southern highlands in the world of Aetheria. It is characterized by a coat of stiff, quill-like dorsal spines interspersed with softer feathers, which can be raised into a defensive display resembling a porcupine silhouette when threatened.

Adults measure about 26 cm in length with a wingspan near 40 cm. Plumage ranges from brownish olive to rufous, with iridescent blue- or gold-tinted highlights on the wings and tail. The most distinctive feature is a row of rigid quills along the neck and upper back, up to 2.5 cm long, that can be erected and bent slightly.

Quillsfeathers are omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects such as beetles and caterpillars, supplemented by berries and small fruits. They forage in the understory by hopping along branches and leaf litter, occasionally making short flights to capture flying insects. They tend to be solitary outside the breeding season, or form small family groups.

Breeding occurs in spring. Nests are cup-shaped and built of twigs, grasses, and soft fibers, placed high in forked branches. Clutch size is typically 2–3 eggs, pale cream with fine brown speckles. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks, which fledge after about two weeks.

Taxonomy in the compendium places the quillsfeather in the genus Quillafeather, family Quillidae, within the order Passeriformes. The name combines “quill” and “feather” to reflect the creature’s spiny dorsal feature and plumage.

In regional folklore, the quillsfeather is regarded as a symbol of steadiness and camouflage. No formal conservation assessment exists in the fictional setting, but habitat fragmentation and deforestation in some areas are noted as potential local threats.