Wytherns

Wytherns, pronounced why-vurns, (Draco pirones, erfarin, ostenseaol) is the collective name for a number of species from the genus Draco. They are in essence smaller, more birdlike dragons; with an adult wingspan of around 3-5 meters. They live across all known continents usually in isolated mountainous areas and feed on mainly sheep and deer.

Biology and Behaviour
Wytherns like all dragons have long life spans though theirs are still much shorter than their bigger cousins. In perfect conditions a Wythern can live up to 500 years of age, though brutal fights for mates and environmental factors usually render it shorter. Wytherns tend to have around 5 offspring in their lifespan, babies are laid in eggs that can lay dormant for hundreds of years before being disturbed. Wytherns can spit flaming oil at prey or in defence against attackers. While not as impressive as the fire or ice breath of dragons, it can still be deadly.

Relationship with Sentients
Apart from the occasional killing of a child, there was not that much of a relationship between sentients and wytherns at all, they lived too far apart from each other to cross paths more than occasionally. That was until the mid Second Age, when the Ura tamed and started flying them into battle. By the beginning of the Age of Heroes, Wythern Riders were a crucial part of the Southern Republic Air Fleet.