Willodeen is an eleven-year-old girl living in the village of Perchance. Following a devastating fire four years ago, she suffers from severe social anxiety and recurring nightmares. She spends her time wandering the forest, carefully documenting the local ecology and advocating for screechers, a highly unpopular local animal. Her sharp observation skills help her notice shifts in the natural world that the adults ignore.

Connor is a friendly, optimistic boy from Perchance who enjoys making animal likenesses out of natural materials. His outgoing demeanor contrasts sharply with Willodeen's quiet nature, but his gentle approach helps earn her trust. He worries that his artistic passion is impractical, yet he uses his creativity to support the animals he encounters.

Quinby is a young screecher who suddenly appears in Perchance. Like others of her species, she possesses tusks, tail spikes, and a powerful defense odor that causes humans to hunt them. Driven by natural instincts, she eagerly digs for peacock snails beneath the blue willow trees. Her presence forces Willodeen to take on direct responsibility.

Duuzuu is a hummingbear who survived the same fire that orphaned Willodeen. Because the flames damaged his wings, he cannot fly or migrate to join the other wild hummingbears. Instead, he lives as a domesticated companion, offering comfort through his gentle presence and rumbling snores.

Mae is an eccentric, older village woman who adopted Willodeen after the tragic fire. She provides a stable home without demanding that Willodeen immediately act like a traditional daughter. Practical and wise, she encourages Willodeen to channel her frustration into action rather than hiding from it.

Birdie is the second older woman who serves as Willodeen's guardian in Perchance. Working alongside Mae, she tries to make their cottage a safe, welcoming environment for the orphaned girl. She believes deeply in the power of emotions, frequently reminding Willodeen that angry tears hold a special kind of magic.

Connor's Father serves on the Perchance village council, trying to manage the severe economic panic caused by the failing hummingbear migration. Initially appearing stern and imposing, he is a tired widower who pays close attention to the shifting environment. He secretly supports his son's artistic pursuits despite the practical challenges they face.

Willodeen's parents and brother died in a devastating fire four years before the story begins. Her pa spent time teaching her to respect the natural world, specifically pointing out that screechers nurture their young just like any other animal. Their loss profoundly shapes Willodeen's isolation.

Sir Zurt is an elderly screecher living in the woods near Perchance. Willodeen gives him a noble title out of sheer respect for his ability to survive the village's aggressive bounty hunting. His sudden death profoundly impacts Willodeen's understanding of the vanishing ecosystem.