Hyrulian Hero
Zelda Informer Codger
I think you're missing my point. I don't want them as a feature of the base game, I want them as the Breath of the Wild equivalent of end-game content. I've already spent 400+ hours enjoying the world as they intended me to. I absolutely love the game the way it was designed, and I love all the time I had schlepping around on foot.
Now, I want my gorram bird. ^_^
Ah, I didn't get that before. As a reward for the end game, I think it would be fun and probably wouldn't effect the game in near the negative way it would if it were always available. I do actually think it would have a positive impact on me exploring the post-game but it would be shorter lived as the world would then be my oyster. I can see the rito calling you a racist for riding birds.