Fourth Wing Dragon Colors and Tail Types
Six dens of dragons are in play at the start of the series, each with its own temperament, bloodlines and rules for approaching it. Below is every color, then every tail type, with the dragons from our full list that match.
The irid section reveals Iron Flame material and is labeled. Everything else is Fourth Wing level.
Black
- Traits
- The rarest den, known for sharp intelligence, discernment and cunning. The den guide mentions two hatchlings found recently, which fits the idea that blacks are scarce.
- Bloodline
- Dubhmadinn (also spelled Dubhmadhinn)
- How to approach
- No simple rule is listed. The sources only call black dragons the most discerning.
Blue
- Traits
- Sapphire to navy shades, very large and famously ruthless. The den guide calls out blue daggertails as the rarest of the blues. One fan guide ranks blue second rarest overall, but that is a single source.
- Bloodline
- Gormfaileas
- How to approach
- The field-guide advice is to avoid the encounter and flee.
Notable dragons
Green
- Traits
- Calm and intelligent. The den guide rates them as ideal siege weapons, especially the clubtails.
- Bloodline
- Uaineloidsig and Cruaidhuaine
- How to approach
- Lower your eyes, but never back down.
Notable dragons
Red
- Traits
- Strawberry shades with a fiery temper. Red scorpiontails are said to anger quickest.
- Bloodline
- Not listed in the den guide
- How to approach
- Never meet a red's gaze. Approach from the left and the front.
Notable dragons
Orange
- Traits
- Apricot to carrot shades, and the den guide's pick for the most unpredictable den.
- Bloodline
- Fhaicorain
- How to approach
- No approach rule is listed for oranges.
Notable dragons
Brown
- Traits
- The den guide gives no description. Fan guides call browns loyal.
- Bloodline
- Not listed in the den guide
- How to approach
- Do not show fear or hesitation.
Notable dragons
Irid (gold as a hatchling)
Spoilers: Iron Flame
- Traits
- A seventh den that readers meet in Iron Flame. Fan guides describe irids as pacifist, able to shift their scale color, and not bonded to humans, with Andarna as the one known exception. The den guide has a Golden heading with no text under it.
- Bloodline
- Not listed
- How to approach
- No approach rule is listed.
Notable dragons
Dragon tail types
The tail is a dragon's weapon and part of its identity. Five types appear on the den guide's list, and the feathertail belongs to young dragons.
Daggertail
A tail tipped with knife-like spikes. Common across red, orange, green and blue dens.
On our list: Sgaeyl, Feirge, Deigh, Thoirt, Marbh, Glane, Claidh, Solas.
Swordtail
A long tail with razor edges, built for slashing. Seen on reds, a brown and the black Codagh.
On our list: Codagh, Cath, Sliseag, Aotrom.
Clubtail
A heavy solid mass at the end, made for bludgeoning. The den guide pairs green clubtails with siege work.
On our list: Teine, Fuil, Molvic.
Scorpiontail
A barbed tail that one guide describes as venomous. Red scorpiontails have a reputation for a short temper.
On our list: Ghrian, Chradh, Baide.
Morningstartail
A club studded with spikes, the rarest tail. A fan guide says only two are known and names Tairn as one; the other is not named in the sources we checked.
On our list: Tairn.
Feathertail
The tail of a juvenile. Guides call feathertails unsuitable for bonding, with Andarna as the exception.
On our list: Andarna.
Common myths
Some listicles mention gold, silver or white dragons, or dragons tied to fire, ice and other elements. None of those are dens in the books. The only gold dragon is a hatchling phase of the irid Andarna, and elemental types do not exist. If a page lists dragons we cannot find in the sources below, be cautious.