Since you bring it up, Wikipedia says this: "Several bird species use hovering, one family even specialized in it. True hovering by generating lift through flapping alone rather than by passage through the air demands a lot of energy. This confines the ability to smaller birds. The largest bird able to truly hover is the pied kingfisher (about 17 cm long), although larger birds can hover for short periods of time. Larger birds that hover for prolonged periods do so by flying into a headwind, allowing them to remain stationary relative to the ground or water. Kestrels, terns and even hawks use this windhovering.
Most birds that hover have high aspect ratio wings that are suited to low speed flying. One major exception to this are the hummingbirds, which are the most accomplished hoverers of all the birds. Hummingbird flight is different from other bird flight in that the wing is extended throughout the whole stroke, the stroke being a symmetrical figure of eight, with the wing producing lift on both the up- and down-stroke. Some hummingbirds can beat their wings 52 times a second, though others do so less frequently."
In other words, a bird the size of a man would need to expend a crap ton of energy to keep you stationary in the air for long periods of time. It's possible, especillly higher up, but for the most part they need to be moving. You'd have to be able to flap just enough to push you away from gravity without jumping you up too high, then the upstroke would have to be fast enough to get back to the downstroke before gravity took over again. That's a lot of flapping for no movement. In contrast, flying straight propels you, so you don't have to flap as much and you can still fly at good speeds, which is not so tiring. So I'm going to say yes, you can hover, but only for a few rounds before you get too tired to stay in one place.
And I have no problems with spending your money on proficiencies. Languages, skills, tools, even a weapon if you want it (but only one, specific weapons at a time). But not a feat. That would be too much. Feats are only learned at ASI levels.
Most birds that hover have high aspect ratio wings that are suited to low speed flying. One major exception to this are the hummingbirds, which are the most accomplished hoverers of all the birds. Hummingbird flight is different from other bird flight in that the wing is extended throughout the whole stroke, the stroke being a symmetrical figure of eight, with the wing producing lift on both the up- and down-stroke. Some hummingbirds can beat their wings 52 times a second, though others do so less frequently."
In other words, a bird the size of a man would need to expend a crap ton of energy to keep you stationary in the air for long periods of time. It's possible, especillly higher up, but for the most part they need to be moving. You'd have to be able to flap just enough to push you away from gravity without jumping you up too high, then the upstroke would have to be fast enough to get back to the downstroke before gravity took over again. That's a lot of flapping for no movement. In contrast, flying straight propels you, so you don't have to flap as much and you can still fly at good speeds, which is not so tiring. So I'm going to say yes, you can hover, but only for a few rounds before you get too tired to stay in one place.
And I have no problems with spending your money on proficiencies. Languages, skills, tools, even a weapon if you want it (but only one, specific weapons at a time). But not a feat. That would be too much. Feats are only learned at ASI levels.
