Best Bird Pokemon [Ranked]

Staraptor

With a base stat total of 485, Staraptor isn’t the strongest bird Pokémon out there. In fact, it’s the weakest of the fully evolved bird Pokémon on our list, which is why it took the bottom spot.

But Staraptor has a fantastic Attack stat of 120, and excellent Speed at 100, which combine to make it a real menace. With access to powerful attacks such as Brave Bird and Close Combat, Staraptor can dish out damage fast.

Staraptor has been a solid performer for years, and it’s even featured highly in the Pokémon anime, too, as one of protagonist Ash Ketchum’s teammates. For all these reasons Staraptor has to get a place on the list, even if it is as the worst entry.

Altaria

Dragon/Flying dual-type Altaria carries through the cutesy, cloud-based design of its pre-evolution Swablu. It’s easy to see why this Pokémon is popular.

Altaria is a fun Pokémon with a great typing. With a base stat total of 490, Altaria isn’t the most powerful Pokémon out there, but with its Special Defense stat of 105, it can take a hit. Altaria’s popularity comes more from its striking design than its utility, anyway.

In Generation 6 Altaria was gifted with a Mega Evolution into Mega Altaria. This boosts its stat total to a much better 590 and grants it access to the powerful Fairy type, too.

Mega Altaria is the only Pokémon to be dual-type Fairy and Dragon. Its Fairy typing gives it an immunity to Dragon type moves, eliminating one of its weaknesses!

Its popularity, cute design, and the interesting typing of its Mega Evolution means that Altaria definitely deserves a spot in any listing of the best bird Pokémon.

Hawlucha

Hawlucha is a single-stage Pokémon introduced in Generation 6’s Pokémon X and Y. This dual-type Fighting/Flying Pokémon is based on Mexican wrestlers, and this comes through in its bold design and even its name.

Hawlucha has a base stat total of 500. Its nice spread of stats makes it useful in competitive, where it’s seen great use as a sweeper. Hawlucha has a great movepool with access to many excellent Fighting and Flying type attacks.

Hawlucha is a fun choice with a great design, good utility, and a flexible movepool. It’s definitely earned its spot in this listing.

Talonflame

Talonflame joins Charizard and Moltres as a Fire/Flying dual-type Pokémon. The Fire typing is a great one, and it helps elevate Talonflame above some of its competition, netting it a spot on this listing.

With a base stat total of 499, Talonflame isn’t the strongest Pokémon out there, but it’s not a total weakling either. Where Talonflame excels is its Speed, with a base total of 126, making it a swift attacker. With powerful attacks such as Flare Blitz and Brave Bird, Talonflame can dish out some major damage.

Talonflame has been featured multiple times in the Pokémon anime, including as one of former series protagonist Ash Ketchum’s Pokémon.

Blaziken

Blaziken has a base stat total of 530, which is very nice. Blaziken has very high Attack and Special Attack stats – 120 and 110 respectively.

Blaziken is a Fire/Fighting dual-type Pokémon. Its great typing and movepool mean it’s well suited to its role as an attacker.

In Generation 6’s Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, remade and updated versions of the original Ruby and Sapphire games, Blaziken got a major glow-up in the form of a Mega Evolution.

This Mega Evolution into Mega Blaziken revamped Blaziken’s look and boosted its stats, making its strong Attack and Special Attack even stronger – and giving it a nice boost to its Speed stat, too.

Decidueye

Decidueye has a decidedly cool design, one based on the ranger archetype. Almost like a Pokémon Robin Hood. This dual-type Grass/Ghost Pokémon is themed around its Spirit Shackle attack, an attack which leverages Decidueye’s archer design and Ghost typing.

With a base stat total of 530, Decidueye is a powerful Pokémon with good Attack, Special Attack, and Special Defense stats.

In Hisui, the setting of Pokémon Legends Arceus, Decidueye has access to a new form, Hisuian Decidueye, which swaps out its Ghost type for the Fighting type and gives it a fresh new look as well.

Decidueye’s strong theming in either of its forms, its great utility, and strength mean it’s a popular choice with many fans. Its appearances in the Pokémon anime and TCG show that this is a Pokémon with lasting appeal, and it more than deserves its place on this listing.

Decidueye is also one of the best starter Pokémon!

Ho-Oh

Although Ho-Oh appeared in the very first episode of the Pokémon anime, it didn’t get a name or an in-game appearance until much later!

This majestic, phoenix-like Pokémon serves as the mascot for Pokémon Gold. A Fire/Flying dual-type Pokémon, Ho-Oh is very strong indeed, with a base stat total of 680. But this Pokémon isn’t only strong in battle – it has a solid spot in Pokémon lore, too.

In the past, Ho-Oh granted a second life to three unfortunate Pokémon and revived them from death. These Pokémon became the Suicune, Raikou, and Entei featured in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.

Ho-Oh’s solid design, strength, and its importance to lore serve to keep Ho-Oh on this list. Ho-Oh also features on this list of the best Pokémon of all time!

Togekiss

In Generation 4’s Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Normal/Flying Pokémon Togetic was given an evolution into Togekiss, a bird somewhat based on an aeroplane. This Pokémon is also one of the best Fairy type Pokémon!

With a base stat total of 545, and a Special Attack base stat of 120, Togekiss packs a punch. Its Special Defense stat of 115 makes it a great special wall, too.

In Generation 6’s Pokémon X and Y, Game Freak introduced the powerful Fairy typing, and gifted it to Togekiss. Introduced to counter Dragon types, Fairy type means Togekiss is immune to Dragon type moves.

One of its Abilities, Serene Grace, doubles the chance of secondary effects, such as flinching or burns, from moves. This Ability, its typing, and great stats combine to give Togekiss very respectable success in competitive play.

Corviknight

Corviknight is a Flying/Steel dual-type Pokémon. Corviknight has a seriously cool design, made to look like an armoured raven.

With a base stat total of 495, Corviknight isn’t immediately impressive. But its base stat total belies a solid Defense stat of 105. Corviknight is a real master of defence, with immunities, eight resistances, and only two weaknesses.

In Galar, Corviknight with the Gigantamax Factor can morph into the Gigantamax form of Corviknight. This seriously massive Pokémon gets a redesign that really shows off its wings. All this combines to give Corviknight the penultimate spot in our listing.

Corviknight also features on this list of the best Flying types!

Kilowattrel

With its sleek design and great typing, Kilowattrel earns its top spot in this list. In good company with Pokémon such as Zapdos, Kilowattrel is a Flying/Electric dual-type Pokémon. Its Flying type grants it immunity to Ground, which is Electric type’s only weakness.

With a base stat total of 490, Kilowattrel isn’t immediately powerful. But its high Speed stat – 125 – combined with its powerful Special Attack – 105 – make it a deadly opponent. Its speed makes it one of the fastest Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet.

Its exclusive Ability, Wind Power, boosts Kilowattrel’s power when hit by a wind move. Combined with the move Tailwind, which it learns, Kilowattrel is able to consistently increase the strength of its Electric type moves in battles.

Because of this Kilowattrel has seen great use competitively and in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Tera Raids – and earning its top spot in this listing!