These flying beings can be found throughout the jungles of Joralla. The Tikiarri are perfectly designed for flight - light, hollow bones, large wings, a razor-sharp beak, and excellent eyesight.

They are carrion-eaters, and have come to rely on a predatory animal known as the wulkarsk to provide them with food. The Tikiarri breed the wulkarsk, both for ferocity and for the ability to follow simple commands. The Tikiarri hunt by turning loose a group of wulkarsk, then tracking their progress while gliding on the air currents. Once an animal has been killed by the wulkarsk, the Tikiarri swoop down upon the scene and feast, often bringing scraps back to the nesting area for other members of the tribe.

The Tikiarri are highly competitive both within the tribe and with neighboring clans. Inter-tribal warfare is a constant of life. Tribes are theoretically ruled by the bravest and most capable male, but in reality the most devious male eliminates all other contenders and assumes control of a tribe by defult. Tribal leaders are extremely fortunate if they survive their first year of rule.

Tikiarri have a natural life span of about 30 local years, but most males die in combat or during hunting by age 20, and most females die before age 20 because they are forced to produce young as soon as they are able (between eight and 10 years of age).

What makes the Tikiarri especially dangerous to visitors is their interest in advanced weaponry. Since a foolish trader introduced the wonders of blaster technology, the avians have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to acquire more weapons. In fact, "hunts" will often revolve around trying to kill offworlders for their weaponry. Most tribes have at least one or two blaster weapons, always held by the tribe's leader.