Vemkh
| Vemkh vemk pl. vemkhs | |
|---|---|
| |
| Fact File | |
| Classification: | Avian |
| Frequency: | Very Common |
| Size: | Small |
| Lifespan: | 5-14 years |
| Domesticated?: | Yes |
| Diet: | Herbivore |
| Biome(s): | Boreal Forest, Temperate Forest, Tropical Rainforest |
Known and loved for their enchanting voices, Vemkh are small and popular song birds that are commonly kept as pets by Ramathians. The typical length of a Vemkh is between 10–16 cm (3.9–6.3 in) in length, and their typical weight is between 5–49 g (0.18–1.7 oz).
The bills of Vemkhs are generally short, and stout due to their diet which consists primarily of berries, seeds, and nuts, particularly in the winter. Vemkh will occasional eat insects if given the chance. Vemkh are often highly social and maintain stable flocks throughout the non-breeding season.
Subspecies
There are two main subspecies of Vemkh.
Red Vemkh
Red Vemkh’s are slightly larger in size than their yellow counterparts, and have black throats and a black stomach patch. They are also quite a bit more common than their cousins, and are much more prized as pets due to their slightly more gentle nature and demeanour.
Yellow Vemkh
Yellow Vemkh are smaller and much more delicately built than their sturdier and more prolific cousins. They have a black band around their necks that gives them the appearance of wearing a permanent collar. The Yellow Vemkh is also much more likely to be seen in temperate forests, as they do not do as well in other forest due to predators and their bright colouration.
Reproduction
Vemkhs also have a variety of methods for attracting mates, primarily through their intricate, bouncing mating dance. Vemkh are typically polygynous, and will often have multiple mates. A Vemkh is considered to be a mature adult at three months of age. They lay two to six eggs in a clutch twice a year in Dyo once they have reached maturity. In favourable conditions, they have been known to lay as many as nineteen eggs in a single clutch. They are often prey for bigger creatures, so it is fortunate they are quite common.
Habitat
They live in small flocks of at a maximum about a hundred, and nest in the mezzanine; below the canopy.
Vemkh as Pets
They make very good pets for avian-lovers and can be kept in cages, provided they have sufficient food, light, air, water and company. Red Vemkh are much more commonly bred and sold by breeders to Ramathians as pets due to their temperaments.
