I was thinking about the game, and the philosophy of balance the game uses. It provides a race with certain bonuses, but "balances" it out by also adding weaknesses. I particularly like the approach of other games, like Starcraft 2 and Dota 2. "But Utopia isn't either of these games". This thread is just food for thought. In SC2 and Dota, races and heroes aren't given weaknesses to counteract their strengths. They are just given strengths. Essentially, everything is overpowered, so the game is balanced. Imagine Dwarfs that didn't eat more and could use accelerated construction. Imagine Orcs getting the full benefit from science, or Avians....being removed from the game. Or Undead being able to train elites again AND being able to use thievery. Just give races a certain toolkit, and make it overpowered.
Make Avians the "fast attackers". Give them their -35% attack times, and build the rest of their toolkit to support that. They will need a way to grow into land that is coming in quickly. Give them increased birth rates. They will be losing a lot of military quicker than other races, reduce their military losses, or training costs. And no drawbacks.
Make Dwarfs the master of builds. Give them their bonus BE, and build the rest to support that. Let them accelerate free buildings, or maybe even REDUCE their base build time.
Orcs are in a good spot for their niche, but remove the sci penalty.
I personally like the "everything is overpowered, so it's balanced" approach. I realize it's never been this game's approach to balance and likely never will be, but a guy can dream :)