Sand Bird

Sand Bird is a legendary bird that Mario helps to hatch in Super Mario Sunshine. Plungelos were walking on the mirrors near the Shine Tower, which housed and protected the egg. The tower has a device at the top that gathers sunlight and directs it at the egg. With the Plungeloes on the mirrors, the light couldn't warm the Sand Bird's egg. Fortunately, Mario defeated them and the Wiggler sleeping on the device.

After hatching it, a bonus area could be accessed. In the area, Mario rides the Sand Bird around a tower to collect eight Red Coins. The bird itself seems to have been made of Sand Blocks and it has no eyes. It can flap its wings and screech but cannot talk. Not much else is known about the creature.

Trivia

 * The event when the Sand Bird flies among towers in the sky resembles the Tower of the Wing Cap from Super Mario 64.
 * The Sand Sailer found in the Slipsand Galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy 2, although not identical, may be a subtle reference to the Sand Bird.