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Description
Mergulls are a diverse group of flightless diving birds, easily distinguished by their streamlined bodies, small wings and large, flattened feet that they use to propel themselves through the water. One may wonder why the Mergulls, if they are such a successful lineage, have not taken over larger niches such as filter-feeding behemoths and super predators. This is down to their avian ancestry, as like all birds, they lay hard-shelled eggs and as such come onto land to nest and raise their young. This ancestral feature has prevented the group from completely severing their connection to land and becoming fully aquatic.

A. Horned Mergull - a somewhat basal member of the family, the Horned Mergull is characterised by a hornlike protrusion on the front of the beak that raises the nostrils above the rest of the animal. This species is a shallow water forager, and the "horn" acts as a rudimentary snorkel, allowing the animal to breathe while remaining largely submerged. Why few other Mergull species possess this trait is not known.

B. Sawbill Mergull - Dwelling in deeper water, the Sawbill uses its characteristic saw-like pseudo-teeth in its bill to snag and keep hold of slippery fish. This species is one of the most commonly sighted on beaches, especially when they leave the water en masse at night to rest and avoid marine predators.

C. Scum Gull - the Scum Gull is an ambush predator that attacks unwary drinking animals by the shorelines of the inland rivers and lakes they dwell in. One of the largest mergulls known, it has been known to occasionally attack humans and other sapient species. As a result it is a less than desirable creature to meet, but quite popular in circles of "monster" hunters.

D. Reef Budgies - native to tropical waters and reefs, Reef budgies specialise in hard-shelled prey such as bivalves and crustaceans, which they crack open with their strong stout beaks.

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So these guys are based on penguins and seals, as well the Cretacouse diving birds known as Hesperornithes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperor…

Description
Mergulls are a diverse group of flightless diving birds, easily distinguished by their streamlined bodies, small wings and large, flattened feet that they use to propel themselves through the water. One may wonder why the Mergulls, if they are such a successful lineage, have not taken over larger niches such as filter-feeding behemoths and super predators. This is down to their avian ancestry, as like all birds, they lay hard-shelled eggs and as such come onto land to nest and raise their young. This ancestral feature has prevented the group from completely severing their connection to land and becoming fully aquatic.

A. Horned Mergull - a somewhat basal member of the family, the Horned Mergull is characterised by a hornlike protrusion on the front of the beak that raises the nostrils above the rest of the animal. This species is a shallow water forager, and the "horn" acts as a rudimentary snorkel, allowing the animal to breathe while remaining largely submerged. Why few other Mergull species possess this trait is not known.

B. Sawbill Mergull - Dwelling in deeper water, the Sawbill uses its characteristic saw-like pseudo-teeth in its bill to snag and keep hold of slippery fish. This species is one of the most commonly sighted on beaches, especially when they leave the water en masse at night to rest and avoid marine predators.

C. Scum Gull - the Scum Gull is an ambush predator that attacks unwary drinking animals by the shorelines of the inland rivers and lakes they dwell in. One of the largest mergulls known, it has been known to occasionally attack humans and other sapient species. As a result it is a less than desirable creature to meet, but quite popular in circles of "monster" hunters.

D. Reef Budgies - native to tropical waters and reefs, Reef budgies specialise in hard-shelled prey such as bivalves and crustaceans, which they crack open with their strong stout beaks.

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So these guys are based on penguins and seals, as well the Cretacouse diving birds known as Hesperornithes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperor…