This creature is inspired by the "parrot orchid" pictures that were circulating by e-mail i don't know when.
Most of the descriptions (the bits about intelligence etc) are true for some real parrots.
Spoiler
A beautiful flower grows around this light egg. It's intense sweet scent makes you dizzy.
Hatchling:
Your young bird weeps constantly for food! You are tired and bleary eyed from all the night-time feedings, but it's more than made up by the enthusiast squawks of welcome when it sees you, and his affection, as he snuggles to you seeking warmth and cuddles. New feathers are coming in daily, and the quills give him a dishevelled appearence. There is a flowery scent about this hatchling.
Adult:
This large magnificent bird seems to enjoy flying for pure fun, but will carefully stay within calling distance. It has soon learned to say your name and to express it's needs in human language. You realize that you are actually having intelligent converations with this bird. It's plumage is variegated in shades of white, lilac and magenta, with a darker head and tail. When your Orchid Parrot comes to rest on your shoulder, others in the Keep will often turn their head to watch it. The adult does not produce any scent, but males in spring will rub themselves with many odorous flowers to attract a mate.
General:
The Orchid Parrot can live longer than a human, living with humans it will learn to understand many words and even repeat them. It's intelligence also shows in puzzle solving abilities. It can often surpass humans in tasks like opening puzzle boxes, or even picking locks, using their beak and a foot. Natives of the Jungle of Raza, they eat mostly fruit and some seeds, and are wary of airborne predators like Griphons and Hippogriffs, if they are not caught unawares they will escape by diving in a tree. They form mixed flocks with Puvias for reciprocal protection.
This "Silkshield" creature is a collaboration with Irony (my drawing, his descriptions)
Spoiler
I've made it a bit too orange, it should be a bit more brown, I think, also the hatchling coul be in a different position
This egg is covered by very smooth fur and a metallic shining wing already shows itself.
Hatchling:
The furry egg has hatched into a kind and sweet hatchling, whose fur is even softer as it was on the egg. It loves playing in the water with Narwhal and Leviathan younglings, but you're worried about the Kois ever since it gave a hungry look on them. But as you walk closer, the hatchling will swim to you at once, turning its eyes towards you, as if trying to read your mind. You're a bit shocked to see that it has three eyes, sitting on long stalks. As you pat the hatchling's back, straight wings emerge from its body, and when you walk away, you see the youngling following you - in the air. After a few meters however, the wings disappear in the furry body. The hatchling falls into the water, but it still tries to keep up, swimming as close to you as it can.
(adult description stil needed)
General:
Silkshields are a good companion, friend and ally to their Magi. They can read their master's mind from long distances, obeying their thoughts under all conditions. They feel at home in water and air alike, often leaving the Keep for the ocean or for the clouds high in the air. But wherever they wander, a Silkshield will never forget its master and hurry to them if needed. The soft fur, silky to the touch, proved to have a strong protecting enchantment that can save you or your companion from attacks of wild beasts, raging storms, or even curses of your enemy.
