Pelikki were a species of non-sentient, river-dwelling birds from the planet Naboo. They had an expandable throat pouch in which they held their aquatic prey when hunting.

Biology and appearance[]

Pelikki were a non-sentient bird species from the planet Naboo. Closely related to ducks, they were characterized by a long bill, a gular pouch, two large feet, and two functional wings.^[1] Their plumage could be grayish-green.^[2] A pelikki's head, perched atop a long, curved neck, sported eyes and three fleshy growths on the upper parts.^[3]

Behavior[]

Dwelling in rivers, the pelikki fed on smaller aquatic life forms. Their beaks helped them hunt their prey, while their throat pouch could expand to hold their catch.^[1]

Pelikki remained largely untamed, and were easily startled by sudden noise or movement. However, in certain areas of Naboo, the human citizens of the planet fed them for pleasure.^[1]

History[]

The pelikki evolved on Naboo,^[1] an idyllic world close to the border of the galaxy's Outer Rim Territories.^[4]

During the Invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation^[2] in 32 BBY,^[5] a flock of pelikki lived in an estuary of the Solleu River in the city of Theed, near the Royal Palace. When a Gungan bongo submarine transporting two Jedi bobbed to the surface, causing a loud rush of bubbles, those pelikki panicked and took flight.^[2]

Pelikki in the galaxy[]

In Galactic Basic Standard, the most prevalent language in the galaxy,^[6] the phrase "sitting pelikki" was used for someone or something that was unprotected and vulnerable to an easy attack.^[7]

Behind the scenes[]

The pelikki first appeared in the 1999 movie Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, in which they were not named.^[2] In canon, they were first identified in the 2017 reference book Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia,^[8] although the name originated in the 2012 Legends book Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Expanded Visual Dictionary.^[9]

Appearances[]

• Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace (First appearance)
• Star Wars Battlefront II
• Adventures in Wild Space: The Cold (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (carving)

Sources[]

• Star Wars: Complete Locations (Picture only)
• Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia (First identified as pelikki)
• Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition
• Star Wars: Alien Archive
• Every Creature in the Star Wars Movies | Star Wars By the Numbers on the official Star Wars Kids YouTube channel (content now obsolete; backup link)

Notes and references[]