The Origins of 3 Eagle Pokemon & the Real Birds Behind Them

Eagles are rare in Pokemon. Most bird Pokemon start from small, common birds like pigeons and sparrows, and the big birds of prey are the ones left over. An eagle in the games is a fighter that picks fights with its own parents and fishes with shock waves, and is harder to build a team around than a bird that just flies.

See all 3 eagle Pokemon in one list.

Here's every eagle Pokemon:

All 3 Eagle Pokemon

#398

Staraptor

Staraptor, the Predator Pokemon, is based on the white-cheeked starling, a common bird across Asia, crossed with a bird of prey. Much of the predator side comes from hawks and falcons, but it also has strong similarities to the harpy eagle, and the feathers hanging over its face match the long-crested eagle. Its whole design may be a pun on the sparrowhawk, a name for raptors that hunt small birds. Its Mega Evolution, a temporary battle form, is so large it may refer to the roc, the giant bird of legend that preys on serpents.

Staraptor left the flock once it was strong enough to survive on its own, and it flies with such force that it can carry away large, burly targets. (We moved out for a different reason, namely the rent.) Its Intimidate ability lowers the opponent's Attack one stage when it enters battle, and an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle.

#627

Rufflet

Rufflet, the Eaglet Pokemon, is based on the chick of the bald eagle. Unova, the region of Pokemon Black and White, is based on the New York metropolitan area, so the designers looked for ways to bring America into their designs. Its colors come from the red, white and blue of the United States flag, and the single plume on its head comes from Native American culture.

Its chick-like looks hide a hot temper, and it challenges its parents at every opportunity to prove its strength. We have met teenagers with the same temper, minus the talons. It stands 0.5 m tall and weighs 10.5 kg.

#628

Braviary

Braviary, the Valiant Pokemon, is based on the bald eagle, with the same red, white and blue scheme as Rufflet. Its strong legs and head feathers come from Native American culture, the feathers resembling war bonnets. War bonnets were traditionally worn only by men, which is presumably why all Braviary are male. Its personality is based on American stereotypes.

Hisuian Braviary is based on the Steller's sea eagle, from its size and plumage to its southward migration to Hokkaido, the real place behind the Hisui region. Its Psychic type may come from the Ainu, who consider the Steller's sea eagle a kamuy, a divine being. Braviary screams a bloodcurdling battle cry, then blasts lakes with shock waves and scoops up any prey that float to the surface. We will stick to the frozen aisle instead of fishing by explosion.

Braviary Is Male Only and Unova Made Its Vulture Female Only

Braviary has a 100% male gender ratio, and so does Rufflet. Mandibuzz, the vulture Pokemon from the same region, is the reverse: Mandibuzz is female only, and so is its pre-evolution Vullaby. The male-only status of Braviary comes from war bonnets, which were traditionally worn only by men. The female-only status of Mandibuzz may allude to the ancient Egyptian belief that all vultures were female and reproduced through parthenogenesis.