Do think certain types of 精灵 can change into 动物 或者 other creatures because I do.

That's a cool idea. They may be able to, because some 动物 end up in amazing situations never to be seen again.

Like I read this story one time about people encountering a beaufiful yellow bird that no one could identify 或者 find again. It may have been a fairy.

I never thought about it. Possibly yes, but since there are no designated rules for what 精灵 do and don't do (it's a matter of opinion) I'm gonna say no.