Avian
Avians consist of a variety of birds that through the course of natural evolution and genetic engineering have become recognizably sapient. The most prominent intelligent bird species can not only use tools to solve puzzles but can also communicate with humans by directly speaking their language. Their ability to speak largely came about from their extended time around humans either as pets or in urban environments where they overhear humans talk. While more ancient birds could only imitate the sounds of humans, cognitive development over time allowed them to inherently understand the meaning of the words to allow them to put together their own sentences to allow for coherent two-way conversation.
Birds, on their own, still live in the wild as roving flocks of hunter gatherers, and do not have their own independent society. On occasion, they smuggle themselves abord starships to spread from planet to planet. Domesticated birds will opt to help other races with their tasks in exchange for food and shelter. For example, parrots have been employed as interpreters in some parts of the galaxy. Other groups of interest have occasionally used them as spies due to their ability to hide in plain sight.
Despite their cognitive advances, most bird species are not considered sapient, and many societies even consider them a delicacy - especially chickens, ducks and turkeys. Only parrots and corvids are afforded official protections as citizens within Federation law. It is illegal to hunt and kill parrots and corvids in the Federation. To do so comes with the same charges one would expect from a case of murder. All other species fall under general animal rights laws.