It should be noted that for many years, and in most older texts, the cryptid known as the "fricken" was referred to as "Anuraves"—literally, "frog-bird." This taxonomy remains in the fricken's scientific name, Aves anura ("bird frog"). The order and species name are the same largely, we believe, because scientists presented with a frog covered in feathers simply threw up their hands and surrendered.
At any rate, the name "fricken" was coined by Frances Healy in 1928. Upon seeing her first Anuraves, she snorted and said, "You people complicate everything, don't you? It's a frog with feathers. It's a damn fricken." The name stuck, and as the fricken had no opinion on the matter, it has passed into common usage.
Frickens are wide-spread, with species appearing on every continent. Because they are relatively non-offensive, they have not been the subject of a mass Covenant eradication effort. Unfortunately, they are as sensitive to pollution as any other species of amphibian, and their numbers have begun to decline alarmingly in recent years.
BIOLOGY
Biologically, frickens are, quite simply, bizarre. They have the body structure of frogs, and undergo metamorphosis as frogs do. Fricken tadpoles are capable of breathing air, and are covered in soft, downy fluff which matures into feathers as their legs develop. Their bones are hollow, and they possess, on average, less body fat than most frogs.
Frickens are not capable of true flight, but can glide for short distances, using their powerful back and pectoral muscles to control their elevation while "pushing" against the air with their hind legs. Their feathery covering gives them an added element of protection from inclement weather, and frickens remain active long after the true frogs have gone into hibernation.
Frickens will generally build "nests" in trees overlooking ponds and streams. Their eggs are laid inside the nest; when the tadpoles hatch, their parents shove them into the water below. The male fricken will then follow his young into the water, and allow them to shelter against his belly and legs while they mature. The male fricken generally remains half-submerged until such time as the tadpoles are old enough to fend for themselves. Opportunistic predators consume a great many male frickens during breeding season. Female frickens, acting to preserve their mates, have been seen to harry snakes and foxes in the manner of crows harrying hawks. This works surprisingly well, possibly because even the predators find it unbelievably bizarre.
DESCRIPTION
Frances Healy was accurate when she named the fricken, which looks like nothing so much as a frog covered in feathers. The various species of fricken each have their own distinct coloring and behavior patterns; poison arrow frickens raise their young in pools of water trapped high in trees, while bull frickens have very low predation rates, due to being large enough to hunt and consume rats. The frickens represent a very diverse ecological niche, and there is no telling what their loss could do to the swamps, wetlands, and rainforests of the world.
OF NOTE
The distinctive chirp/croak call of the fricken can be used as a warning signal. When the frickens are singing, you're probably safe. It is best, however, not to depend too heavily on the frickens to guide you. Not all dangers will scare them.
Pictured below is the common North American swamp fricken (Aves anura helobious) in full spring plumage.
Artwork by Kory Bing.