Featherling gryphons are much like the normal gryphon in that they are half bird and half feline. Males and females are much the same size. They all average at about 4 ft at the shoulder. The bird half of the featherlings has the appearance of songbirds such as blue jays, robins, cardinals and such. Their heads are shaped like a songbird, though most featherlings have fur covered heads. They may or may not have ears, depending on their cat half. Featherling beaks are pointed, and their eyes are bright and seemingly always full of mirth. Their bodies are very lean and dainty. Their legs are thin, and from the elbows and knees down, their feet are not furred, but covered in tiny scales. Featherlings have four toes, with fifth back toe opposite the other four toes. These gryphons are completely covered in fur but may have feathers upon the top of their head. Their back and wings are also feathered. Their tails are long, and normally covered with long fur. The fur over their bodies is modeled after the pattern of bird they resemble. The cat shape to their bodies is modeled after lean fast cats such as cheetahs, lynx, and even normal house cats.
Featherlings are very rare, and found only in thick jungles and the unexplored regions of forests. Never are they seen outside of their home forest. Featherlings live mostly in the trees, feeding from berries, nuts, and fruit. They never eat meat.
Featherlings are very mischievous creatures. Their curiosity often overwhelms their sense of danger. They adore shiny things, and will often steal anything just because it shines.
These creatures are not affected by any magics. Any spell wielding and controlling elements do not harm them. Physical attacks can hurt a featherling, but they are impervious to magics.
Featherlings are small, and do not have many weapons other than their beaks and short claws. They are not a creature that fights well, only runs swiftly. Perhaps this is why there are so few featherlings.
Featherlings can move perfectly silent. They can speak any language if they have learned it. An interesting ability granted the featherlings, is the ability to shrink their form from its original size to about six inches high at the shoulder. This allows for them to hide easily when threatened.
Most featherlings can live to near 500 years old.