Aarakocra

From below, Aarakocra look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, Aarakocra might reach 6 to 7 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons.   Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with distinct tribal variations.   Nowhere are the Aarakocra more comfortable than in the sky. They can spend hours in the air, and some go as long as days, locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying away.   Once airborne, an aarakocra leaves the sky with reluctance. They are native to Deynslorn where the thermals are strongest due to volcanic activity, they can fly for days or months, landing only to lay their eggs and feed their young before launching themselves back into the air. They sometimes forget or ignore vertical distances, and they have nothing but pity for those earthbound people forced to live and toil on the ground.