Rito

The Rito (リト Rito) are the race of anthropomorphic birds that inhabit Dragon Roost Island, the volcanic island located in the Great Sea in The Wind Waker, although one Rito postman also appears in Phantom Hourglass. The Rito serve the role of mailmen, as they, because of their ability to fly, are most suited for that job. As such, a big part of their island is used as a Post Office.

Eiji Aonuma confirmed that the Rito were indeed evolved Zoras in the instruction manual for Zelda Box.

History
The Rito began their history as the Zora tribe, and it is currently unknown if their transformation was magical or the result of natural evolutionary processes. This is similar to how the Kokiri became the Koroks. The Rito were not always creatures of the sky, and the Grappling Hook is a remnant of those days. The Rito (still) aren't avian 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.

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.

Trivia

 * 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.

Notable Members of the Rito Tribe

 * Medli
 * Komali
 * Quill
 * Rito Chieftain