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Loftwings are a species in The Legend of Zelda series. They are birds used by the citizens of Skyloft to fly around the different regions and are used during the annual Wing Ceremony.
It is a custom in Skyloft for each person to have their own Loftwing, which is a symbol of the divine protection granted by the Goddess Hylia. A Loftwing and its rider have a special connection, as Skyloftians consider themselves to be one half of a pair until they are made whole by the Loftwings. When a Skyloftian is young, they meet their bird companion under the Statue of the Goddess. Having a Loftwing and being able to ride it separates the kids from the adults.
Loftwings cannot fly during the nighttime since they have a terrible night vision, and only those which have been specially trained can fly in the dark. They can also be taught a special move called the Spiral Charge, but since it is a stressful move for Loftwings to perform, it is usually only taught to senior Knight Academy students.
The crest of the Goddess Hylia is a symbol of a Loftwing, which bears resemblance to many other symbols in The Legend of Zelda series. The Hylian Crest found on every version of the Hylian Shield is a symbol of Link's Crimson Loftwing. The crest of the Royal Family also depicts the image of a Loftwing in its design.
Link's Loftwing is a special, rare breed which had previously been thought to have gone extinct.