The iconic yellow bird in the Final Fantasy series is the Chocobo. Chocobos are fictional galliform birds, usually shown with bright yellow feathers, and they most often serve as mounts that let characters travel quickly across the world.
They first appeared in Final Fantasy II in 1988. Designer Koichi Ishii created them from childhood memories of raising a chick, envisioning an animal companion that could communicate personality without speaking. Their name was inspired by Chocolate Ball, a popular Japanese confectionery brand.
Chocobos are easy to confuse with other Final Fantasy mascots. Cactuars are cactus-like creatures, Tonberries are small knife-wielding monsters, and Moogles are winged, antenna-topped creatures. Chocobos themselves have also become more than transportation: later games feature racing, breeding, combat, named companions such as Boco, and the dedicated Chocobo spin-off series. Their familiar “Kweh” call and recurring musical theme help make them one of the franchise’s most recognizable symbols.