Gigantoraptor

[icy wind]

Gigantoraptor

Gigantoraptors are common, widespread animals. They are animated creatures with a wide range of behavior and a surprisingly complex social dynamic.

• Gigantoraptor are diurnal.
• Dimorphism:

No common dimorphism, it is common to see any colors or a variety of colors on both males and females.

• Gigantoraptor are territorial when nesting.
  🥚 Nests can have up to 8 eggs per nest 🥚

Known to become very broody, hens will adopt next to anything. They are very protective of their young, and will stop at nothing to protect them. If there is one, the lead rooster will also protect young, even adopted young.

• Preferred biomes: Anywhere, these resilient creatures can stay anywhere but prefer grassy areas.

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Group Dynamics
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A "Gaggle" is a group that is made up of both males and females and can have up to 12 sub-adults/adults.
⤷ In a Gaggle, there is a dominant Rooster who's job is to protect the Gaggle. In his eyes, he is the boss of the group. Though, in reality, the Head Hen is still the ultimate law, and the other hens will always side with her should her and the dominant rooster disagree.
⤷ In Gaggles with more than one rooster, one of them will take the role of Head Rooster and have all courting rights to the females in the group.
Should a new Rooster want to challenge for the spot of Head Rooster, they do so by circling and aggro calling one another before a quick fight. It ends swiftly, when one is injured enough to back down. He will be allowed to stay in the group if he chooses to.
A "Brood" is a group that is made of only females and their offspring. A Brood can have up to 12 sub-adults/adults and up to 20 hatchlings/juveniles/adolescents.
⤷ In a Brood, there is a Head Hen. She is the law. Shes not only the strongest, but also simply the best leader. Head Hens are chosen by being the oldest or most experienced leader. Should a Head Hen have trouble ensuring there is enough food and clean water, not protect the Brood, or otherwise not meet the requirements of the Brood, the other females will chase her out and appoint a new Head Hen.
A "Game" is a group that consists of only roosters and can have up to 5 sub-adults/adults.
⤷ In a Game there is a dominant Rooster. All of the males constantly spar with one another, though it is mostly playful with very little injury. It also serves as a subtle reminder of who is above who.

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Early Life
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Hatchlings

Hatchlings stay near their mothers, often as close as they can physically get. So much so, hens must be careful not to step on their young.

Juveniles

Juveniles are a bit more prone to moving away from their mother, though they still stay in sight and are quick to run to her if something scares them. Juveniles are quite friendly and are often found playing together under the watchful eye of either their mother or whatever hen has been given the job of nursing while the others are out getting food.

Adolescents

In adolescence, Gigantoraptors begin to grow their attitude. The hierarchy among the young begin to come out, with the older and stronger at the top. Though, they are quick to learn over aggression is not tolerated in many groups as their mother will not hesitate to correct an overly aggressive young one.

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General Behavior
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In both Gaggles and Broods, each hen of the group has a job. Some are nurses, some are lookouts, some scout for food, etc.
In a well structured group, Even the lowest ranking hen has access food and water.
⤷ Most Head Hens do not take kindly to bullies. A well structured flock will make sure even the lowest ranking hen is cared for. Should any member pick on those under them too much, the Head Hen will put a quick end to it, knocking the guilty one down to the lowest spot themself.
Fights are never good, and end quickly. While its important to establish ones role in the pecking order regardless of gender, an overly aggressive male or bully head hen will be pushed out of the flock.
Personal space is a vague suggestion to Gigantoraptors. They often stand, sit, and cuddle with one another to strengthen bonds.
Head Roosters will always protect the flock, regardless of the rank of the individual. He will also get in the middle of disputes if needed. He gets courting rights to any hens in the flock.
Down time: When outside of their active time, they spend their time sleeping and resting.
Roosters will often wake up with the sunrise and broadcast to wake the rest of their group!
⤷ Males that broadcast to much may get a peck from the lead hen!

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Interspecific Behavior
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Gigantoraptors are friendly to herbivores. As long as there is enough food and water to go around, they don't mind to share space.
⤷ However their lack of understanding of personal space does occasionally cause problems.
Gigantoraptors don't mind Latens and Deinonychus, welcoming the cleaning crew as long as they don't have young.
When broody, Hens may mistake orphaned hatchling and juvenile Kelenkens as young Gigantoraptors and adopt them, raising them as their own. However, once the Kelen reaches adolescent, they realize the mistake and run off.

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Threat Reaction
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Gigantoraptors band together when a threat is near. The adults of both Gaggles and Broods put themself between threats and young.
⤷ Head Hens will often take the place in the very front, those that don't may be considered cowardly by their group.
In a Game, males will protect one another, though it is a bit less organized.