Diurnal, originally from Theas (Australia). Common. There are around 500,000 to 600,000 of them. They have average magic. About 75% of pup birds have magic. About 10% have low power, 30% have below average, 40% have average, and 20% have above average. Their racial field includes water magic, levitation, finding things, bardic magic, and illusion.
Pup birds are unique to Quiar, similar to fairy penguins, although with a rounder ducklike bill. They are ovoviviparous, retaining the eggs until they are ready to hatch and thus giving birth to live young, which are called pups. The male then carries the pup in a fold of skin just above his feet, and feeds it regurgitated food, until it is old enough to walk and eat solid food. Pup birds are not respected, and neither marsupials nor birds really want them around. Despite being biologically birds, they are more often counted among marsupials because they do not lay eggs and the males have a pouch. They are tight allies with platypi.
They stand between 2 and 3 feet high, with low anthropomorphism. They have three fingers at the tip of each flipper. They are bipedal and walk comfortably on land. They are excellent swimmers, often working as coast guards, lifeguards, swimming instructors, fishermen, or beachcombers. Their gregarious and playful personality also suits them well to entertainment including comedy, acting, and storytelling. Although not counted as "fine culture" they are quite popular among the lower-class races such as platypi, seagulls, and lions.