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All About Beaks

It's time to talk about beaks! Transcription and additional information below.

The beak is a sensory organ: it contains many nerve endings, much like human hands. The beak is a crucial part of nonverbal communication, and aids them in perceiving the world around them.

Beaks consist of two bony halves: the upper and lower mandible. These external protrusions are covered with a keratinized layer of skin called the rhamphotheca. Two openings (called nares) function as nostrils

Touching or clasping beaks is a show of affection. This behavior is called "billing", and it isn't always romantic; children touch beaks with their parents and siblings, and most tribes recognize a friendly billing as a socially acceptable greeting.

As an intimate gesture, it can be equated to a kiss: lovers and mated pairs rub their beaks together as a form of bonding. Beaks aren't just used to touch other beaks; nuzzling is a common form of physical contact. Mawkin soldiers will rub their beaks on their comrades' necks, foreheads, and cheeks if given the opportunity to show some love to their fellow warrior.

You can rub your beak on all sorts of things for a variety of reasons. Want to check to see if this log is hollow? Give it a good triple peck, see how the vibrations feel against your skull. Maybe there are a few roast-worthy grubs hidden in there. Intruder in your nest? You've got hands, but while those are busy grappling two different sections of your opponent's body, why not pierce their hide with your handy beak? Hands full? Put something between the planes of your beak and free up an extra talon. This thing can do so many activities!

Bill clapping is also a form of communication: it can be part of a friendly greeting or a threat display depending on the context.

Newborn Chozo chicks possess what is called an "egg tooth": a small, sharp, calcified projection on the the tip of the upper mandible that aids the infant in chipping its way out of the egg. As the chick grows, the egg tooth either falls off or is reabsorbed. Some tribes don't hatch with an egg tooth at all, instead kicking their way out of the egg.

Beak injuries are unbearably painful, and prosthetics are available to replace beaks that are mangled beyond repair. Warrior tribes tend to value the errant crack in one's beak; it's considered attractive, and shows the individual has combat experience.

Beaks are used for foraging, eating, temperature regulation, and social activities like allopreening. A damaged beak can be a point of pride for warriors, but maintaining the health and physical upkeep of one's beak is important no matter the tribe.

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Gulmp.

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Patron request. The prompt was to draw Raven Beak coming out of a thrift store in an outfit he thinks is fashionable.

Togas are indeed very fashionable, but perhaps not with the granny couture curtains. It's a matter of perspective.

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Thought Experiment.

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replaying metroid dread

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AFFIRMATIONS:

my painting can not harm me

i have control over where the paint goes on the canvas

i understand basic color theory

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Anatomy/fabric study, August 29.

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Noise game.

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Secret ending of Metroid Dread 2.

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Lazy rest day today, so here's a doodle of my redesign of Kreatz from the Metroid manga and a bonus Mauk on the lower right!

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Favorite Nintendo Character 2: Losing Bracket Round 9

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Anatomy/fabric study, August 29.

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Anatomy/fabric study, August 29.

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Noise game.

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The dad who said he "didn't want a cat":

Samus is not immune to kibby.

Raven Beak's outfit in the second to last image is a specialized "paternity robe", which is like a v-neck for Chozo parents. There's a large gap over the breast so a hatchling of age can cling to their parent. In this case, Raven Beak has outfitted himself with the baby harness and donned the robe around it, fastening the belt before securing Boper in the sling.

Context. And additional catposting.

Stock photo used in the sixth image.

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I said I'd do it.

Patreon | Ko-fi

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I'm going to respond to outstanding asks in image form rather than comics for now, but the comics will come later. We are understaffed yet again and I'm getting my ass beat. Ask related comics are in the works and will occur as full-fledged volumes.

Three topics in particular happened to be things I already had ideas for as longer strips, which is part of why those are taking so long. One of them is particularly dramatic: if you asked the question, you already know what it is.