Still reading, my week has been rather full.
My theory went beyond just morphing gracefully and with speed. My character can actually control the process, slowing, isolating parts and even utilizing senses and accessing animal minds while "technically" not in morph. He can only do these hybridizations and alterations for a short time; but if need be, in moments of dire stress, just as Tobias survived torture by giving in to the bird's mind, my character can "morph" his mind only to escape into the mind and instinct of that creature while keeping control of his body and outward actions and visage.
That's my character idea anyhow.