Kee are incredibly varied sophonts. As a whole they represent not a species, but a species complex. Not all kee can successfully reproduce with one another depending on how distantly related they are, but all types of kee can interbreed with at least one other group. This can lead to gene transfer even between groups that cannot successfully hybridize.
Even within a single kee group there can be a lot of variety in coloration and markings (melanism, piebaldism, dilute color, etc.), which I will cover later.
Six distinct groups of kee currently exist, all descended from an extinct ancestor that began to diversify about 2mya. These groups are as follows:
Dextral/Narrow Wing
Average Wingspan and Weight N-type: 36in, 1.0lbs T-type: 25.5in, 0.7lbs
Dexral kee are closest related to the ancestral ur-kee from which all other kee descended, existing nearly unchanged for longer than any other group. They are also the most common kee group found outside of their biotope. They can reproduce successfully with all groups of kee but don’t hybridize as easily with Little Island and Proximal kee.
Their n-types are very similar in appearance to Sinestral and Middle Island kee but their t-types have a characteristic dark cap and long, straight beak spike.
Sinestral/Broad Wing
Average Wingspan and Weight N-type: 36in, 1.0lbs T-type: 31.5in, 0.8lbs
Sinestral kee are most closely related to Dextral kee but also readily hybridize with Proximal kee. Unions with all other groups often produce sterile hybrids.
Both n and t-type Sinestrals have a domed profile to their head thanks to thicker integument along the top. Their t-types have an upward curved beak spike and darkened integument around the upper beak. Their wings are slightly broader than those of Dextral kee but they have a largely identical flight pattern.
Central Islands/Long Wing
Average Wingspan and Weight N-type: 51in, 2.8lbs T-type: 43in, 1.8lbs
Central Islands kee are the physically largest of all kee. They also have much longer necks and wings, making them look even bigger still.
They are most closely related to Dextral kee and can form viable hybrids with them and Sinestral kee. Hybridization with Middle Island kee results in sterile offspring, and their greater genetic distance from Proximal and Little Islands kee leaves them incapable of reproduction.
Unlike other kee groups, who have shorter wings for bursts of speed and maneuverability, Central Islands kee have long wings better suited for soaring and longer distance flight. This aids their more migratory lifestyle, traveling between the larger keeland central islands and the many smaller islands surrounding them. Their coloration is naturally the most blue among all kee in order to better blend with the sea and sky. They tend to have more lightweight clothing and personal effects than other groups of kee since they spend more time in flight.
Proximal/Cold Weather
Average Wingspan and Weight N-type: 26in, 0.8lbs T-type: 26in, 0.8lbs
Proximal kee live closer to the biozone’s central ice sheet than any other group. Adapted for the colder climate they have much thicker, fluffier integument than other kee groups and smaller wings to prevent heat loss. They fly in short bursts and are very maneuverable, but can’t fly as long distance as most other kinds of kee.
Unlike other kee, who tend to have slightly smaller t-types than n-types, Proximal n and t-types are roughly the same size.
Due to their relative genetic isolation from other groups, Proximal kee cannot reproduce with either Central or Little Island kee. Crosses with Dextral or Middle Islands kee usually produce sterile hybrids. Proximal kee can only readily reproduce with Sinestral kee.
Out of all kee Proximals are the most likely to pierce their patagium for clothing use. Kee usually live in warmer climates and wear minimal clothing, most often around the head, arms, and neck. Since Proximal kee live live in a colder climate they need to affix clothing around more of their body and patagium piercings allow for clothing to be worn more tightly around their core, conserving heat and leaving the wings and patagia unobstructed.
Middle Island/Curl
Average Wingspan and Weight N-type: 33in, 0.9lbs T-type: 31.5in, 0.7lbs
Middle Islanders are most closely related to Dextral and Little Island kee, both of with which they can successfully reproduce. With all others they usually yield sterile hybrids.
While Middle Island n-types look very similar to n-type Dextrals and Sinestrals, their t-types are very distinctive. Their beak spike and flanges are elongate and downturned, and their integument forms dark “eyebrows” on their mask (these eyebrows are also present to a lesser extent in n-type Middle Islanders).
Along with their striking faces, t-type Middle Islanders have very elongated integument around the edge of their wings and hind leg fins. While this slightly hampers flight it is a good show of a Middle Islander t-type’s health and is considered the mark of a promising cliquemate in Middle Islander cultures.
Little Island/Crowned
Average Wingspan and Weight N-type: 25.5in, 0.7lbs T-type: 24in, 0.7lbs
Little Islands kee are physically the smallest of all kee, both by weight and wingspan; an example of island dwarfism. Ancestrally they come from the dextralmost island of the greater keeland landmass, where they inhabit it’s dense expanse of forest. They have small round wings that help them tightly maneuver in their cluttered habitat.
They can only reproduce easily with Middle Islanders, and have sterile hybrids with Dextrals and Sinestrals. With Proximal and Central kee they are incapable of reproduction.
Little Islanders have similarly sized n and t-types. Their flanges have a unique split appearance in both n and t-types, ending in multiple points. In t-types their darkened eyebrow integument connects to a dark cap on behind the top beak, and the elongate nature of the individual pieces gives them a “crowned” appearance. Their t-types also have elongate integument on the edge of their wings, much like their Middle Islander relatives.
