Feathertails

Andarna is a feathertail in Fourth Wing, and during Presentation Violet notes Andarna is only a few feet taller than her.

Feathertails are the breed of dragon people know the least about are feathertails. Feathertails have golden scales and a feathered tail, as the name implies. Unlike the photograph above depicts, feathertails have paws instead of claws. They also have rounded eyes.

Violet finds out in chapter 19 of Fourth Wing that feathertails are actually baby/juvenile dragons, a little older than hatchlings. Andarna is 2, and she’ll remain a feathertail for approximately 2 more years.

Feathertails abhor violence and are the least suitable for bonding. There has been no record of feathertails leaving the Vale until Violet’s first year at Presentation. Feathertails typically don’t bond. Regardless, they shouldn’t bond because they can accidentally gift their powers to humans. If feathertails bond, they run the risk of gifting their signet to their rider. This is due to lack of experience with powers. Andarna does this with Violet in chapter 19 of Fourth Wing. Feathertails’ powers are too unpredictable and unstable. A rider could easily drain their power and burn out. Most feathertail gifts disappear with maturity when they begin to channel.