Rito

The Rito are the race of anthropomorphic birds that inhabit Dragon Roost Island, the volcanic island located in the Great Sea in The Wind Waker. The Rito are an evolved form of Zora that have gained the ability to fly. This trait makes them suited to serve the role of mailmen. As such, a big part of their island is used as a Post Office.

History
The Rito began their history as the Zora tribe, with whom they share their social organization and symbols. It is stated in the Hyrule Historia, that the gods changed them from Fish into Birds so that the Great Ocean could remain lifeless, and the remains of Hyrule could never be discovered. The Rito were not always creatures of the sky, and the Grappling Hook is a remnant of those days. The Rito still aren't aerial beings by birth; they need to get their wings from the Sky Spirit, Valoo, by visiting him and receiving a scale from him. This also seems to serve as a sort of coming-of-age ritual.

The Rito are the safekeepers of Din's Pearl. Originally, the pearl was owned by Prince Komali's grandmother, but she passed it on to her grandson when she died. Komali does not give the Pearl to Link instantly because it is the only thing that comforts him, and he feels Link is useless. Later on, when Link clears the Dragon Roost Cavern and calms Valoo, Komali is impressed by Link's bravery. He gives Link Din's Pearl in order to increase his own courage.

Society
The Rito worship the Sky Spirit Valoo, and appoint an attendant to take care of him. At the time of The Wind Waker, this attendant was Medli. These attendants were also revered as teachers. The leader of the Rito people is their Chieftain.

Anatomy
Rito are very similar in appearance to the Zora from which they are descended. In addition to that, they also share a lot of anatomy with the Hylian race. They have pointed ears, a human structure, and speak modern Hylian language. The main characteristics of a Rito that make them different are their beaks and wings. In place of a nose, Rito have a large orangish-yellow beak. This does not function as a mouth, however, as they have a mouth just below it. It appears to just be the shape their nose takes. This often extends all the way up between their eyebrows. Also Rito have wings which they use to fly. Most Rito let their wings dangle like "sleeves" out from under their clothes when they are not flying. However, Medli and the Rito Chieftain do not have this trait. When they do fly, their arms and "sleeves" transform into one set of wings. Their feet also turn into talons, which they use to carry things. This is made clear when Quill and Komali carry Link.

Medli
Medli is Valoo's attendant as well as the Sage of Earth. She is a descendant of the previous sage, Laruto, who is a Zora. Medli accompanies Link in two dungeons, Dragon Roost Cavern and the Earth Temple, and is skilled with the harp. She is a close friend of Prince Komali and constantly worries about him.

Komali
Komali is the future leader of the Rito. He is the son of the Rito Chieftain and the holder of Din's Pearl. Despite his crushing shyness, he is a close friend of Medli.

Quill
Quill is a mailman that is admired by his peers and trusted by the Chieftain. He delivers various pieces of mail to Link during his adventures and helps advance his quest many times.

Rito Chieftain
The Chieftain is the leader of the Rito tribe. He is stern and constantly looks for the best interest of his tribe, sometimes causing him to be distant from his family. However, he cares deeply for his son Komali and asks Link to comfort him and build up his confidence.

Basht and Bisht
Basht and Bisht are two very minor characters in Dragon Roost Island.

Hoskit
Hoskit is a Rito in guard on Dragon Roost Island who stands by the Chieftain's room. He wishes to give his girlfriend Golden Feathers as a gift. If Link gives him 20 of these feathers, he will receive in turn 100 Rupees. Afterwards, Hoskit's girlfriend will in return mail the young hero a Piece of Heart.

Ilari
He was born on Dragon Roost Island and is a Rito postman. He's usually found at the highest balcony of the island and tells Link about Flight Control Platform before flying.

However, after Link sends Maggie's Letter to the postbox, Ilari is seen the next day on Windfall Island, where he and Maggie's Father are seen arguing inside the newly-rich homeowner's house. Maggie's Father refuses to let the postman deliver a letter to Maggie and won't listen to reason. Frustrated, Ilari leaves to the Cafe Bar to calm down. There, he explains to Link the hardships he experienced to obtain the letter, and feels he is a failure for failing to deliver it. Link can help this troubled postman by agreeing to deliver the letter for him.

Like Anju, he has a difficult time remembering people's faces.

Koboli
Koboli is the mail sorter found on the upper floor of the Island Postal Service. He hires Link to be an assistant sorter, and becomes so impressed with Link contribution that he hires another person, Baito, to help him.

Koboli strongly resembles the Postman from Majora's Mask. This makes some theorists think that he might be descended from the Postman in Majora's Mask. Another fact that supports this theory is that on his figurine, it is mentioned that one of his ancestors was a postman.

Kogoli
Kogoli is a gentle Rito who mysteriously leaves Dragon Roost Island after Link completes the Earth Temple.

Namali
Namali is a Rito that lives on Dragon Roost Island.

Pashli
Pashli is a Rito that can be always be found walking around the Rito Hall on Dragon Roost Island.

Skett and Akoot
Skett and Akoot are the personal guards of the Rito Chieftain, in The Wind Waker. Never seen apart, they often consult each other concerning the factual accuracy of any comment directed towards Link, often in reference to Medli, Prince Komali, or the Rito Chieftain himself. Like sitcom characters, their interaction always leads to humorous bickering and arguing, providing for some poignant comic relief. Upon entering the main Rito hub within Dragon Roost Island, Skett and Akoot are seen flanking the Rito Chieftain, along with Quill, and after the conversation between the Chieftain and Link ends, they quickly escort the Chieftain to his room. From that moment on, the two guards can be found in the Chieftain's room standing at each end of the rear exit.

Trivia

 * Willi and Obli, the two brothers that run the Bird-Man Contest, have such an unhealthy obsession with Rito that they dress themselves up as Rito.
 * The name Rito seems to be a play on the Japanese word "tori" which means "bird" ("Rito" is a reversal of the characters "to" and "ri"). They also might be inspired by the Watarara, a much more birdlike race that appeared in the Ocarina of Time manga. The name might also be inspired by Ruto, the Zora princess from Ocarina of Time.
 * Most of the Japanese names for Rito describe their role or behavior, while most of the German names are derived from real-life bird species and genera.
 * Aside from the Rito Chieftain and possibly Koboli, all of the Rito have red eyes.
 * Aside from Medli and the Rito Chieftain, all the Rito's names in French end with the letter "f"
 * Aside from the Rito Chieftan, all the Rito's names in Italian start with the letter "f"