I do like this explanation. It kinda links all the loose ends but why brown then? I just remember thinking "why isn't there the Hylian shield?" over and over again.
I guess we need someone to think up what happened...
Why is it that the bird does have horns? Why can't it be a fancy hat or feathers outta place?? I'm just saying there is a very strong resemblance of the Rito in the image on the shield.
Why then the birds? There is got to be some reason because it really frustrates me that they do not have the Hylian shield in WW or that timeline as a matter of fact. WE NEED ANSWERS!
So I was thinking of how I was pretty upset with the Windwaker for not having a Hylian shield in the game (this is a whole different story though...)
Anyways, so here is what I think could have possibly happened.
So if you look at the Hylian shield then there appears to be a depiction of a...