The painted spat represented a unique variant within the carrion spat species, which itself is a type of avian creature originating from the Corellian system. As a mutated form, this creature exhibited enhanced size, strength, and resilience compared to typical carrion spats. While sharing visual similarities with the carrion spats found on Corellia, the painted spat possessed distinct characteristics: its skin displayed a significantly darker hue with prominent horizontal stripes along its back, and the bony structure extending from its mandible did not resemble a conventional beak, instead bearing a closer resemblance to a reptilian jaw.
The initial recorded sighting of the painted spat occurred on Talus during the era of the Galactic Civil War. Around 1 ABY, adventurous spacers ventured to Talus with the specific intention of hunting painted spats. Approximately 3,500 meters away from Nashal Starport, at least three of these creatures were observed. Their sizable "beaks" were sometimes collected as trophies.
Later, painted spats were also observed on Corellia. Following the Battle of Yavin, the painted spat known as Gravefeather, accompanied by its pack of enraged carrion spats, launched attacks on farms situated on the outskirts of Coronet City, including Pol Handerin's farm.
The painted spat made its debut in the 2003 video game Star Wars Galaxies, a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game that was developed by Sony Online Entertainment and published by LucasArts. Its inclusion predates the game's termination on December 15, 2011. The painted spat was integrated into the game through "Publish 18," which was released on June 15, 2005.