- "This shyyyo bird feather's supposed to bring good luck. Huh."
- ―Cal Kestis
The Shyyyo bird was a rare species of massive blue-blooded bird native to the planet Kashyyyk. By 14 BBY, shyyyo were extremely rare and became an endangered species.
Biology and appearance
The Shyyyo birds were distinguished by an elongated tail with a “tassel” of feathers at the end, as well as an external horny covering of the head, which passed into the top of the beak and the pair of horns themselves. One known specimen of Shyyyo had white plumage. Shyyyo birds were capable of gliding significant distances across Kashyyyk while using little energy due to their body shape and feathers. This efficiency meant that the average adult Shyyyo only needed to leave its nest to hunt once per week. The birds ate Slyyygs and Wyyyschokks, which meant they were perceived as protectors of Kashyyyk's native Wookiees and Wroshyr trees. Sightings of the bird were known as being a guarantee of peace for the viewer.[2]
History
Shyyyo birds were rarely observed, to the point that the existence of the species was held in a mythical regard. During the Republic Era, Jedi Master Eno Cordova traveled to Kashyyyk and learned of the legendary birds from the Wookiee Tarfful. The Jedi recorded his thoughts on the Shyyyo in the memory of his explorer droid BD-1 and shared his hopes of one day returning to the planet to seek out the bird.[2]
The former Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis encountered a Shyyyo bird on Kashyyyk[2] in 14 BBY,[4] healing it after it became injured. The Shyyyo bird later assisted Kestis, allowing him to fly to the top of the Origin Tree. Looking out from on top of the bird Cal noticed how little of Kashyyyk had been touched by the Galactic Empire. The bird was then attacked by the Ninth Sister, who proceeded to duel Kestis. After Kestis defeated the Ninth Sister, the Shyyyo bird returned, apparently unharmed by the attack much to Kestis' surprise and relief. He was then carried by the bird back to the forest floor.[2] Kestis took with him a feather from the Shyyyo bird he found, which he hoped would bring him good luck.[3]
Shyyyo birds in the galaxy
The Wookiee athlete Grozz owned a set of armor stylized after the bird named Shyyyo Defender. He occasionally wore this armor while competing in Hunters of the Outer Rim on the planet Vespaara.[5]
Behind the scenes
Shyyyo birds first appeared in the video game Star Wars: Jedi: Fallen Order.[2]
Appearances
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (First appearance)
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Feather only)
- Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader's Castle 2 (In dream)
- Star Wars: Hunters (as armor and sticker)
Sources
"Database" — Star Wars - Das offizielle Magazin 97- The Star Wars Book
- Star Wars: The Secrets of the Wookiees
- Star Wars Bestiary, Vol. 1: Creatures of the Galaxy
