New Animagus Batch #483 - #487

[caesaria]

For the applicants: The process of becoming an animagus is nearly complete! Here are the options you may choose to settle into as your final animagus form. If you're not satisfied with these choices, we are deeply sorry. You may re-submit a new application, if you wish. We hope you like your options!

Applicant #483: Black Footed Ferret, Jamaican

Comments

Re: #485

[balloonhat]

Not picked, but:

For #485 I choose the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. The applicant feels they are a "shy extrovert," who notes shamelessly goofy behaviour and attempts to include everybody in the group makes them as part of how they socialize. Well, Greater Racket-tailed Drongos do not form large flocks; they will sometimes congregate with other Drongos, but not as much as other species. HOWEVER, this doesn't mean they're not social birds! Greater Racket-tailed Drongos (at this point I'm just going to call them GRtDs, mmkay) are extremely talented multispecies mimics - the most talented of all the Drongo species, in fact! - and are able to copy the complex songs of other birds. This is probably why Drongos, even GRtDs, are often at the center of mixed-species foraging flocks; it's been suggested that their flawless imitations of other birds is probably what draws non-Drongos to them and causes the mixed-species flocks in the first place. GRtDs are noted for being shamelessly exhibitionist with their abilities - in urban areas, they are known for being show-offs! GRtDs are clever with their mimicry too - they're able to figure out other species' contextual noises, notably warning signals, which they use to their advantage: if the bird wants something another bird has, it will imitate the cry of a bird of prey in order to frighten off competitors, then help itself to whatever the other bird left behind (usually food). Incredibly lazy... or smart?

Despite their size, GRtDs, like ALL Drongos, are fearless - the total BAMFs the applicant desires! The GRtDs is a bird that takes aggressive action against any and all opponents (from other small birds to birds of prey), mobbing and pecking and using Matrix-style martial arts until they leave. However, one wouldn't expect them to be such BAMFs: they look a bit like a small Crow, with glossy black plumage, a crest and long tail and short legs. Pretty cute, I think, and perhaps they count as "cuddly"? :)

Although not technically nocturnal, GRtDs stay up late (late enough to hunt the insects that gather at nighttime street lights) and wake up before dawn. Also, like most flycatcher-style insectivorous birds, the GRtD is a fast, nimble flyer with quick maneuvers - in fact, it sometimes plays a game in which it drops a small object from high in the air and then tries to catch it before it hits the ground.