#shinonsmaugust

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Sooty Owl

Owl dragons are some of the more mysterious dragon species and very little is known about them. Most of them are fully nocturnal, like the sooty owl dragon, that is rarely seen in the wild and only in places with no light pollution and clear night skies.

They are believed to use the stars to track time and adjust their hunting and breeding patterns accordingly, earning them the nickname "stargazer dragon". Researchers have found strange structures and patterns around their habitat but no one knows what they mean.

The lifespan of a sooty owl dragon is unknown.

[shinondraws]

Also, I noticed that I have accidentally built a world around my Smaugust dragons. 

I have come up with a small bio for each dragon and it's usually just a very exaggerated version of the bird I based the dragons on. Something that was more of an afterthought or just putting together my thoughts while drawing the dragon. But then again the designs are also just exaggerated versions of the birds. The entire concept of my bird Smaugust is "what if birds made an evolutionary u-turn".

So now I have a flock of bastard birds. And so many visions of how the bastard birds would fit into tomorrow's world - or rather how much chaos it would be. But it's a fascinating world because so many of my dragons have made people change their behavior to adjust to life with dragons. Also, in my ideal world people choose to step aside rather than confront the dragons. Probably mostly because those bastards spit acid, have sharp talons and they most likely hold grudges. And they have wings.

Tldr; I think I have created some kind of Dinotopia-esque world with dragons by accident. And it’s great.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Kea

Kea dragons are among the most notorious dragons, known for their destructive tendencies and fearlessness. They are known to occasionally drive people out of small islands and villages because the damages they cause are so massive. Larger dragons have been introduced to high risk areas to keep the kea dragons out but without success. If a kea dragon fancies your neighbourhood it's best to list your home.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Royal Flycatcher

Royal Flycatcher dragons live in wetlands, nesting in trees and lunging from their branches to catch their prey. Previously insectivorous, these dragons had to move on to larger prey as they grew in size - and developed an ego. They see any other dragon species as competition and will viciously defend their territory and hunting grounds.

Deforestation has slowed down in areas with Royal Flycatcher dragon populations because they would destroy equipment and chase down workers who got too close to their territories.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Motmot

Motmot dragons present the most interesting shift from a bird that was mostly prey to larger animals into a dragon that hunts for larger creatures. It uses its tail to lure in its predators, but instead of fleeing last minute it attacks with its barbed, venom coated beak. It is uncertain whether motmot dragons have evolved to develop a venom that knocks out the catch or if it has learned to utilize venom from poison dart frogs that were previously a part of its diet. Motmot dragons would have dazzling tails if they weren't so brittle and easily damaged when used as lures.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Green Tree Swallow

The green tree swallow dragon is known for being relatively harmless and for having gorgeous iridescent plumage. This dragon mainly eats small animals and shows no particular interest in human settlements. They may sometimes nest in abandoned buildings if suitable trees are scarce.

What most people aren't aware of is their migration pattern. In spring and autumn these dragons form enormous flocks that travel together. They are some of the fastest and most skilled flyers among dragons and a migrating flock can whip up a whirlwind. These whirlwinds sometimes grow into actual tornadoes, which is why flocks of green swallow dragons are often referred to as "dragon tornadoes".

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Loon

Nearly every body of water in the northern hemisphere is guaranteed to have a loon dragon or two. These dragons are very territorial and will drive away any living beings they consider competition. People have abandoned thousands of summer homes and hiking centres due to aggressive loons. Despite this many people try to camp as close to a lake as possible to hear a loon dragon's haunting, sorrowful cry on a clear night.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Bali Mynah

The bali mynah dragons are known as the most luxurious dragons. Their plumage is softer than the finest silk and pure white which has made them a target to poachers and illegal pet trade. Many royal figured in far and more recent history have used the bali mynah as their crest or even as a luxurious pet.

They are very cautious in nature and are very rarely seen on the ground level. They are also somewhat vain and prefer a soft and tidy nests. Bali mynah dragons are known to steal and hoard soft fabrics and fibers for their nests.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Pygmy Falcon

Being the smallest dragons of prey people started capturing and training pygmy falcon dragons to be their hunting partners, thinking they would be easy to handle. The dragons were quick to learn how to hunt with human partners but people didn't take into account the stubborn nature of these dragons. They were even quicker to learn that instead of taking the prey back to their human partners they could just eat take the prey away and eat it themselves. Eventually the dragons stopped coming back to their human partners altogether but they would use the same hunting grounds as humans and since they were much more efficient hunters than humans the latter would often be left without game.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Wallcreeper

Wallcreeper dragons have adapted to live side by side with humans better than most dragons. They usually prefer wilderness as a habitat but some choose a more urban life and build their nests in abandoned buildings. Some wallcreepers may be so bold they settle in on people's balconies which is why fewer people leave for extended vacations in spring.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Osprey

Osprey dragons are some of the best fishers out there due to their incredibly precise vision and exploding speed and force when they dive down to catch their prey. They often break or even get tangled in fishing nets. Fishermen compensate the loss by selling the osprey's eyes.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Pomeranian Pouter

I learned that the long-legged pigeon is actually called Pomeranian Pouter which makes it even more hilarious. This beast is far from hilarious. It's agile on land and in air, has razor-sharp feather stalks and it spits acid.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Frigatebird

Frigate-dragons are also known as the "pirate's bane". Since the early days of seafaring these large sea dragons have scavenged especially pirate ships. Perhaps the black sails invoked a primal rivalry in these dragons.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Lapwing

Lapwing dragons are highly territorial and will attack anything that dares to get too close regardless of the size. They prefer open areas from fields to parking lots and have learned that crops and grocery bags abandoned by people fleeing in terror are a great source of food.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Philippine Eagle

Thought to be one of the largest modern dragons the Philippine Eagle dragon is also known as the king of the skies. Due to its rarity and size people can't imagine it ever landing anywhere and tell tales of a mighty dragon that has its home in the wind.

[shinonart]

Smaugust: Great Crested Grebe

Love how sleek and pretty these birds are and wanted to emphasize that in this design.