The lesser griffin is the most common member of the griffin family, with more than twenty species recorded worldwide. Sadly, this means the lesser griffin has also come into frequent contact with humanity, and at least eight of the known species are now considered extinct. This is a tragedy for many reasons, not least because the lesser griffin is a true living work of art.
It is difficult to say which species of lesser griffin, if any, are actually native to North America, as several species have been imported, either as pets or game animals, or for study in private cryptozoological collections. As is always the case when people decide to ignore animal import laws, lesser griffins have escaped, and have set up wild breeding populations. At least four species are currently well-established on the North American continent, and there have been unconfirmed sightings of several more.
(It is important to note that it is difficult to confirm lesser griffin sightings, both because they can cover a lot of ground in a very short amount of time—having wings will do that—and because most people focus on what looks like a large bird with funny feathers on its head, ignoring the fact that it has the hindquarters of a mammal. Only people who manage to see a lesser griffin so clearly that they can't deceive themselves about what they saw seem likely to report sightings.)
Like their larger cousins, lesser griffins are carnivores, and are fully capable of scavenging when necessary. They are smarter than the average bird, and when the average bird is a raven (as with the Church Griffin) or a macaw (as with the Flamboyant Griffin), that is a terrifying thought.
BIOLOGY
Lesser griffins are mammalian in origin, as are their close cousins, the more imposing greater griffins. Even the largest lesser griffins are capable of flight, although we aren't quite sure how, as they do not have hollow bones, and possess the normal muscle density for small to medium predatory cats. Their feathers comprised of keratin proteins closer to those found in birds than those normally found in hair, but are biologically identical to neither. Most species of lesser griffin have furred ears, blurring into feathers where they join with the head. It is believed that their biology somehow selects between "feathers" and "fur" based on body temperature, and modifies the growth patterns accordingly.
Lesser griffins show varying degrees of sexual dimorphism, ranging from the Church Griffin (Gryps vegrandis corax), which shows virtually no difference between species, to the Flower Griffin (Gryps vegrandis blodeu), where females are fully twice the size of males. All known species of lesser griffin mate for life, although some species will mate in groups of three, which provides additional security and safety for their young. It is unknown whether this is an adaptation to the threat presented by humanity.
Lesser griffin eggs are laid in clutches of up to three, with two being the most common. In cases where three eggs are laid by the same mother, it is not uncommon for one or more eggs to fail to hatch. All known species of lesser griffin have an incubation period of three to four months. Kits are hatched with eyes closed, and with no adult feathers. They will remain in their parents' den for upwards of a year, learning to hunt, learning to hide, and growing the vital primary feathers which will eventually allow them to fly.
Diet varies by species, and can incorporate fruit, nuts, grains, and other vegetable matter, but the lesser griffin is primarily a meat-eater. Some species are hunt-oriented, while others prefer to scavenge. Some species prefer to gather their food in a solitary fashion, while others move in flocks, or in small groups of two or three. In all species, it is common for mated pairs or triads to hunt and gather together, seeming to enjoy each other's company.
A mated lesser griffin separated from his or her partner(s) will often pine and die. The pet trade has a lot to answer for.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
All lesser griffins share some basic morphological similarities: specifically, they all appear to have the foreparts of some type of bird, differing from the avian norm only in that birds do not have visible external ears, and the hindparts of some type of feline. The largest known lesser griffin, the Carrion Griffin (Gryps vegrandis fulvus), can grow to the size of a large dog, while the smallest known lesser griffin, the Petite Griffin (Gryps vegrandis microgryps) is less than six inches in length. The average size, shared by more than half the known species, is comparable to that of the Welsh Corgi, or to the Australian garrinna.
Pictured above are two of the more common types of lesser griffin, the European Church Griffin, which is often described as having "the forepart of a raven, the hindpart of a great shaggy cat, and the mind of an imp from the deepest parts of hell," and the South American Flamboyant Griffin (Gryps vegrandis tricolor), which is described as having "the front of a macaw, the back of a spotted cat, and the mind of an imp from the deepest parts of hell." You may notice a commonality in these descriptions. This is intentional.
BEHAVIOR
Lesser griffins are fierce predators, loyal mates, and brave defenders of their young. They are naturally wary around humans, and will attack if cornered. It is recommended that one not corner a lesser griffin, as some species have demonstrated the ability to bite through steel rods when threatened. Even the species who lack this sort of biting strength are fully capable of pecking your eyes out.
Once a lesser griffin has decided to trust someone, however, there is no friendlier or more loyal companion. Some species, including the Church Griffin, are capable of learning basic human speech, although they are not intelligent enough to carry on a conversation. Lesser griffins can learn to open locks, turn on electronic appliances, and basically behave like parrots with a cat's curiosity and additional limbs. You have been warned.
Some lesser griffin species are solitary by nature, while others live in flocks. The size of these flocks has decreased over time, due to predation and other factors. This is truly a tragedy, for all of us, but especially for the lesser griffins.
Artwork by Kory Bing.