Nuna / Legends Nuna , commonly called swamp turkeys , were reptavian gamebirds native to Naboo . Anatomy . Nuna were diminutive bipeds , mostly covered in scaly skin and sporting a distinctive dorsal ridge . They came in a variety of shades , ranging from greens to browns , depending on the subspecies . They possessed a notably prominent jutting jaw and two large wattles hanging from either side of their mouths . They had large three - toed feet which were quite massive with respect to the rest of their bodies . Though the nuna were flightless , their skeletons were birdlike , as evidenced by a large keel - bone and pelvis . Distinctively , they featured a large anterior body cavity that could inflate the nuna when agitated . A dwarf sub - species existed , the adult of which was approximately the same size as a chick of the common species . Behavior . Nuna often exhibited awkward behavior , running with more of a waddle than a stride on their long legs . When vocalizing , a nuna ' s wattles erected outwards from their face . When angered or agitated , the nuna could inflate its body to a strikingly larger size , similar to the coexisting Gullipud . Nuna survived on a primary diet of swamp plants , though they exhibited opportunistic omnivorous behavior , occasionally eating amphibians . Although they were non - aggressive , they could effectively defend themselves with kicks from their powerful clawed legs when cornered . Nuna also exhibited a high reproductive rate , laying considerable batches of eggs that also acted as a decent fertilizer if not hatched . Young can be eaten by pikobis . History . Origins and Spread . Nuna were common in the swamps of Naboo , notably in the Lianorm Swamp . Though it is unknown how or when the nuna evolved on Naboo , it is understood , in part , how they spread to other planets . A number of dwarf nunas were exported to Tatooine as pets of Jabba Desilijic Tiure , who enjoyed callously killing the creatures , flicking them off great heights . Over time , the imported population apparently escaped domestication and large numbers of wild dwarf nunas dwelt invasively in the deserts during the time of the Galactic Civil War . Nuna eventually spread to other planets , including Saleucami and Coruscant , where they were considered vermin , game , and household pets . Sports . As a pastime , Naboo Gungans were known to use nunas in their bloated , agitated state for sport , kicking them around like balls . " Nuna - ball " would gain some interest in the rest of the galaxy after the Invasion of Naboo . Thus arose another cause of galactic emigration as nunas were exported to many worlds to meet demand for nuna - ball . On some worlds , nunas were even raced in betting matches . Culinary Use . Nuna meat was highly appreciated for culinary use . This led to heavy hunting of the species on Naboo , countered only by the nuna ' s high reproduction rate . Naboo Gungans particularly savored the meat at holiday feasts . However , some alien species , including Twi ' leks and Rodians , could be allergic to nuna . Nuna apparently had made it as a dish as far away as Saleucami by 21 BBY as evidenced by clone trooper Captain Rex ' s encounter with one at a farmer ' s dinner table . Many dishes used Nuna for its meat , including Nuna Gumbo , Nuna drumsticks , Nuna bacon , Nuna sausage , and the Nuna salad sandwich . Behind the scenes . The nuna was developed to essentially be the Naboo equivalent of a turkey .