General
Wander around in the forests of the world for long enough and you may encounter a small creature that looks like a cross between a bat and a bird, but is distinct from either. The elusive yi qi is smaller than a jay and spends most of its time nestled away in little crevices and hollows to evade predators. They have sharp claws, but these are mainly used for climbing and finding food. They live in flocks of a few dozen in the dense hearts of Silva and Raza, those in the warmer jungle being flighty, but sporting spectacular blue plumage.
Egg
This small blue egg has wings that flap periodically.
Hatchling
Young yi qi are born covered in fluffy down but quickly molt it for functional plumage. They learn to fly far quicker than any bird, their spindly wings able to hold them aloft mere days after they hatch. They remain within the flock, depending on a diligent crew of adults to bring them large grubs so they can grow. At the Keep, such grubs are hard to come by, and the hatchlings make due with larger amounts of regular caterpillars and beetle larvae. They're belligerent little creatures, apparently sharp, but unusually tricky to train. Having treats on hand with which to bribe them is widely thought to be the most effective way to get them to cooperate.
Adult
An adult yi qi is a spectacular sight, with wings and plumage quite unlike any other creature. Some consider them to be a distant relative of dragons, but the researchers who work with them point out the similarities between their skeletons and those of the kalistavri. Like many feathered creatures, the females are duller in color so they can guard the eggs while remaining camouflaged. This may seem a bit odd for the Razan variety, which is bright blue, but they do a surprisingly good job of evading predators in the dark, flower-filled jungle. Males grow spectacular pennants on their wings during the breeding season, and will compete with others in their flock in elaborate, high-speed aerial acrobatics.
Notes
Obtained from: Donation (Jan)
Breeding: Yes
Renaming cost: 2000 gold
Release date: January 1st 2019
Element: Neutral 
Breeds with the following:
Razan Yi Qi + Razan Yi Qi = Razan Yi Qi (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
Silvan Yi Qi + Razan Yi Qi = Silvan Yi Qi (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
Silvan Yi Qi + Razan Yi Qi = Razan Yi Qi (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
January 2019 5-shard Donation Pet
Sprite art: Mysfytt | Description: PKGriffin