Shriek - hawk / Legends Shriek - hawks were a species of avian predator native to the Outer Rim world of Mandalore . Known as a jai ' galaar in the Mandalorian language of " Mando ' a " , the shriek - hawk possessed a unique cry — loud and piercing — from which it earned its name . Its natural prowess as a hunter made the shriek - hawk an icon in the Mandalorian culture , inspiring traditional iconography such as the " jaig eyes " sigil , and the stylized symbol of Clan Vizsla . Biology and behavior . Shriek - hawks were an avian species indigenous to the planet Mandalore , located in the Outer Rim Territories of the galaxy . Efficient predators who hunted their prey in the dark of night , shriek - hawks were winged and possessed sharp talons . They were known to strike from above , swooping and diving down upon their kill with their wings folded back and their talons outstretched . Shriek - hawks had a unique , piercing cry , and were vigorous defenders of their nests . History . Native to the planet Mandalore , shriek - hawks evolved on the Outer Rim world and adapted to hunting in it ' s varied environments . The many creatures that called Mandalore their home came to fear the sound of a shriek - hawk ' s cry , and the Mandalorians took to calling the predatory avians " jai ' galaare " — a term in the " Mando ' a " language which meant " shriek - hawks , " originating the name later used for the creature by Basic - speaking society . After the Galactic Republic launched a pre - emptive assault on Mandalorian space in 738 BBY , bringing devastation to Mandalore in an effort to curb a rise in Mandalorian militancy , shriek - hawks were driven to extinction in the portions of the planet transformed into white sand desert by the Republic attack , though they survived elsewhere on Mandalore . The " jai ' galaar " reputation as a peerless hunter made the animal a well known symbol in the Mandalorian culture . The Mandalorian Vizsla clan took a stylized image of a shriek - hawk in mid - dive as the sigil of their clan . Following the foundation of the radical Death Watch splinter group by Tor Vizsla , the shriek - hawk sigil of Clan Vizsla was adapted by the Death Watch in turn . The shriek - hawk also inspired another Mandalorian sigil , " jai ' galaar ' la sur ' haii ' se , or " shriek - hawk eyes . " These " jaig " eyes , as they were more commonly referred to , were a unique marking awarded by Mandalorian clan chieftains as a means of recognizing a soldier ' s outstanding bravery . The custom of awarding " jaig " eyes transferred to the Grand Army of the Galactic Republic , whose Mandalorian training sergeants authorized distinguished clone troopers to wear the battlefield honor . That same Mandalorian influence led the clone captain and pilot CT - 55 / 11 - 9009 to take on the name Jai ' galaar as his own , in reference to the predatory bird . Behind the scenes . The term " Jai ' galaar " was first introduced to " Star Wars " canon in the eighty - fourth issue of " Star Wars Insider " , where it was mentioned in reference to the clone trooper Captain Jai ' galaar in Karen Traviss and Ryan Kaufman ' s article , the " Guide to the Grand Army of the Republic " . Traviss ' subsequent article for the " Insider " magazine ' s eighty - sixth issue , entitled " " , introduced the Basic translation of " jai ' galaar " as shriek - hawk , and established the creature ' s connection to the Mandalorian homeworld and culture . " The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia " mentioned the shriek - hawk under an informational entry on " " jai ' galaar " , " and both the " " and " " refer to the shriek - hawk in regard to the " jaig " eyes battle honors and Clan Vizsla ' s clan sigil . Further information on shriek - hawks came with the release of " " reference book in 2013 .