Rishii

The Rishii were a sentient, avian species native to the planet Rishi, possessing a generally humanoid body structure, albeit with arms that functioned more like wings, a full-body covering of feathers, and eagle-like talons for feet. Rishii wings were uniquely "finger"-tipped, as well, an adaptation which, unlike most avian species, allowed them to both fly and manipulate objects. However, the species remained largely primitive in terms of engineering or technological advancement. A carnivorous species, the Rishii were well-regarded as friendly and accepting of others. They lived in small communes or groups known as nests, which existed harmoniously as well as with their off-worlder and non-Rishii neighbors, including followers of the H'kig religion who had settled on their homeworld.

Despite their apparent lack of advancement, Rishii were extremely intellectual, known for being polyglots and highly capable when it came to learning new languages, thanks to their innate mimicry abilities. This trait, occasionally, would cause confusion or misunderstandings between Rishii and off-worlders upon their first meeting, as the Rishii would instinctively repeat whatever was said to them. The predatory Maungur species, also native to Rishi, held a position of extreme importance in Rishii folklore; killing them was banned, despite the fact that the Maungur attacked and consumed the Rishii if the two ever crossed paths.

During the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems invaded Rishii in an attempt to capture exonium mines used by the Rishii, who utilized the mineral to heat their food during winter. After Galactic Republic reinforcements arrived, the Rishii fought alongside clone troopers and Jedi Master Kit Fisto to defeat the Separatists and reclaim the mines.

Text and facts from the “Rishii/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.