The Whisperbird, a light cruiser, operated within the Expansionary Defense Fleet of the Chiss Ascendancy. During 19 BBY, under the command of Admiral Ar'alani, it was a component of Picket Force Six. It played a role in the defeat of the Nikardun Destiny forces, led by General Yiv, in a battle that took place over the planet Primea in the Unknown Regions. Approximately a year later, in 18 BBY, following an invitation from Admiral Ar'alani, the light cruiser joined Senior Captain Thrawn's fleet in the conflict over the planet known as Sunrise. This battle, Thrawn's last stand, pitted them against the forces of the warlike Grysk species.
The Whisperbird, a light cruiser of Chiss design, was propelled by engines and equipped with a hyperdrive. Its hull was constructed using nyix-alloy. For defense, this light cruiser utilized electrostatic barriers. Offensively, it was armed with spectrum lasers, plasma spheres, and breachers as its weapons.
Serving within the Chiss Ascendancy's Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Whisperbird was a Chiss light cruiser integrated into Admiral Ar'alani's Picket Force Six. The warship's designation was inspired by the whisperbird, a creature recognized by the Chiss species. In 19 BBY, General Yiv of the Nikardun Destiny sought to expand his nation's territory by conquering the Chiss Ascendancy's neighboring nations, with the ultimate goal of seizing control of the Ascendancy itself. As a member of Picket Force Six, the Whisperbird participated in the battle over Primea. In this engagement, Senior Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo, known as "Thrawn," strategically led Yiv and his forces into a carefully planned trap above Primea, the capital planet of the Vak Combine nation, situated within the Unknown Regions.
An analysis conducted by the Whisperbird revealed similarities between the Nikardun warships and vessels such as the Nightdragon man-of-war class Vigilant, as well as the Chiss heavy cruisers Springhawk and Grayshrike. During the conflict, Admiral Ar'alani directed the light cruiser to provide assistance to the Grayshrike and the Chiss light cruiser Stingfly in their assault on one of the arriving Nikardun Battle Dreadnoughts, ultimately resulting in a Chiss victory over the Nikardun Destiny.
In 18 BBY, having received an invitation from Ar'alani, the warship joined the Chiss fleet, alongside patrol cruisers like the Bokrea and Parala, in a confrontation against the forces of the belligerent Grysk species during Senior Captain Thrawn's last stand above the planet designated Sunrise. This battle marked the final clash between the Chiss and the Grysk coordinator "Jixtus," who aimed to annihilate the Chiss Ascendancy. The Chiss emerged triumphant, bolstered by support from the Kilji Illumine, Paccian Governance, Vak Combine, and the Garwian Unity, all nations located within the Unknown Regions.
The initial appearance of the Whisperbird occurred in Timothy Zahn's 2020 novel, Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising, which served as the inaugural installment in the Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy.