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Words, birds, music. Guardian Country Diary | Wainwright Prize longlist 2021 | Royal Society Science Book Prize Shortlist 2023 https://t.co/q1DHJj5K22

May 4, 2023, 11 tweets

May the Fourth be with you!

When I first learned that Taking Flight was to be published today, I had a decision to make. Sit in the corner grumping about 'that so-called "Star Wars Day"' or embrace it.

So here’s a thread of flying creatures in Star Wars.
#StarWarsDay

First the disclaimers:
– I am not a Star Wars person. I’m not *not* a Star Wars person – I have seen some of them – but also I am not a 'Star Wars person'
– All creatures are taken from Wookieepedia
– They only qualify if they appear in the main film series

Aiwha
Massive winged cetaceans, native to the planet Kamino. Strong swimmers & flyers, they were also known as "air whales". They’re peaceful, majestic, and (sob) give out bleating cries when dying.
Given the space, I would happily adopt an aiwha. #StarWarsDay #TakingFlightBook

Bogwing
Native to the planet Naboo, and prodigious load-bearers (they could carry nine times their own weight), Bogwings were released into the sky to signal halftime in games of Gulliball. They could have just used a whistle.

Sketto
Ferocious nocturnal cave-dwelling blood-sucking four-winged pests from Tatooine. That’s probably all you need to know at this stage. #StarWarsDay #TakingFlightBook

Dactillion
Tamed by the Utai (at great risk to themselves, given that Dactillions were ferociously carnivorous), these horned creatures were an important mode of transport, valued for their ability to cover huge distances at speed. I want one.

Can-cell
Four-winged insects. Three metres long.
Three. Metres.
I love insects, but even I have my limits.

Peko-peko
Long-tailed birds with clawed wings. They live in swamps, which must play merry hell with their tail feathers, surely? #StarWarsDay #TakingFlightBook

Saving the best till last.

Porg
Stocky little cliff-dwelling beakless seabirds which make a variety of cute sounds and enjoy being scratched behind their ears. Set the cute-ometer to 11. #TakingFlightBook #StarWarsDay

So there you go. An entirely worthwhile use of several hours trawling through Wookieepedia. No doubt you'll all be saying 'oh but what about...?'
Do feel free to add any I've missed.

And do feel free to share this far and wide. bit.ly/3kthp7C

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