[coughs, assumes documentary voice]
The life cycle of a phoenix begins in the breeding season, when phoenixes of many shapes congregate at traditional lekking sites -- usually tall rock outcropping or cliffs -- to display and mate. They are polygynandrous; those carrying ova will take sperm from several individuals over the course of about a week, with each individual fertilizing a single egg, while those carrying sperm will attempt to win the favor of as many ova-carriers as possible.
True to popular belief, infant phoenixes receive very little care from their genetic parents, being instead raised and fed by other birds. However, their genetic parents do not die, nor do they build their own nests: phoenixes are obligate nest parasites, and lay their eggs in the nests of surrogate parents. Several distinct species of phoenix have been observed, each of whom parasitizes a particular size range of birds; it is not known whether there are subspecies who are more specialized still.
Unlike many nest parasites, phoenix young usually do not hatch first, nor do they directly attack their siblings; they occupy a stealthier ecological niche. Phoenixes are shapeshifters, and on hatching the young automatically assume the shape of their siblings. At this stage, a phoenix infant is nearly indistinguishable from the host bird, though if one watches closely they may observe some small sparks around the phoenix hatchling. The period of sparking lasts only a few days, but obviously creates a significant fire hazard; for this reason, phoenixes are found mostly in damp regions, and parasitize species whose nests are made of mud, stones, or cavities, rather than twigs and straw.
Newly-hatched phoenixes are, in general, larger than their host siblings. This makes them generally more successful in getting food from their parents, contributing to a cycle in which they are fed more, grow faster, and become even more large than their siblings, allowing them to get even more food from their parents. Depending on the host species, their siblings may starve, or be killed by the adoptive parents (in species who regularly hatch a "spare" or extra chick).
Young phoenixes continue their camouflage as they grow, learning from their parents in the same way as a true adolescent of the host species. If the species is a social one, they will forage, travel, and socialize with their host community in the same way as any other adolescent or adult. As they grow, they gain better control over their flame, using it as an emergency defense mechanism, though it is extremely costly in terms of energy. The most dramatic form of this is the source of the "phoenix arisen" myth: If pressed too far, the phoenix will rapidly release huge amounts of energy, powerful and hot enough to raze several acres of jungle. In the process, they regress to a hatchling-like state, making this process extremely risky; though in this state they grow far more quickly than an ordinary hatchling, for several days they are virtually helpless.
On reaching sexual maturity, phoenixes undergo a rapid hormonal shift. During breeding seasons -- synchronized according to the breeding seasons of the preferred host species -- they are drawn, apparently by instinct, to the same lekking site where their genetic parents mated, forming vast and colorful swarms that may be several hundred thousand birds strong.
Though the circadian rhythms of phoenixes may vary depending on their host species, during breeding season they all synchronize to diurnal-crepuscular activity. At dawn and during the morning, they forage and sing, while the air is coolest. During the middle of the day, they rest and socialize, perhaps marking out potential partners. In late afternoon, as the day cools, they make a final foraging run, and with the coming of dusk, they display.
The display of a phoenix is a rapid vertical flight, streaming fire from the wings and tail. The displaying individual flies as high as they can, or as they dare, and descends slowly with a distinctive spiralling flight pattern, singing. This display may be repeated several times in a night, or until the bird has exhausted themself. It is not known if the song of a phoenix is instinctive; certain characteristic elements are known, but the songs appear to be individualized and, more curiously, nonstatic, giving reason to believe that they are indeed an individual creative effort. In addition, first-year individuals rarely sing, and their songs are often wobbly and uncertain, supporting the hypothesis that singing behavior and convention is learned. All genders sing, but egglaying individuals do not display, likely to offset the high energy cost of ova production.
As one might expect, individuals who fly higher and flame brighter are more successful breeders. It is suspected that song is also integral to mate choice, but it is not known what qualities are more attractive to an audience.
It is not known how long a phoenix can expect to survive. Their flame makes them extremely formidable to most predators, but they are still presumably vulnerable to illness, injury, and age. However, the death process of a phoenix is well-documented, and spectacular: they undergo a process very similar to their explosive defense mechanism, but much slower and more controlled. The dying phoenix attempts to seek out a wet or stony surface, and bursts into flame, burning brightly for many days before their vast internal energy is exhausted and they crumble into ash. Phoenix ash is extraordinarily fertile, and sudden patches of vibrant greenery are a sure marker of a phoenix's grave.
