Zapdos (SciiFii)

The zapdos (Borrarornipteryx crimen) is a species of hoopoe that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii due to the demand for real life versions of Pokémon as pets. Due to accidental and deliberate releases, there are feral populations of zapdos found across mainland Eurasia, Great Britain, Japan, and North America, where they are, by all accounts, thriving. The zapdos is the largest living species of hoopoe, having the average length of about 53 centimeters (20 inches) and the wingspan of around 130 centimeters (39-51 inches), about the size of the large-billed crow of Asia. The zapdos of both sexes look similar, however, the males have brighter yellow feathers than the females, which have more dull brownish-yellow feathers. The calls of the zapdos consists of the loud, metallic, electronic-sounding musical calls. The zapdos is a carnivore that feeds primarily on insects, spiders, crustaceans, smaller vertebrates, and carrion. The zapdos are active during both day and night, and their calls can be heard even in the darkest of night. The zapdos is a solitary animal that prefers to live in most of its life alone except during the breeding seasons. The males during the breeding seasons ruff up their feathers (similarly to the one pictured here) to intimidate its rivals until one backs down, and the winner gets a right to mate with the females. Once a partner is found, the two zapdos are monogamous for life. The eggs of around 5 are laid as early as February or as late as April. The eggs are laid in nests built in tree branches, tree crevices, burrows, large nest boxes, or tall man-made structures by both parents. Once the eggs begin to hatch, it may take 24 hours for all the chicks to break through their shells. When the chicks are born, they usually stay with their mother for about 10–12 weeks. Their bodies cannot produce all the heat they need, especially in temperate regions, so they will stay close to the mother, especially at night. Often, the male will stay in close contact with the brood for several weeks. The conservation status of the zapdos is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the zapdos's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.