Starly is an avian Pokémon with primarily grayish-brown plumage. There is a white marking on its face resembling a mask, and a white spot on its chest. The top portion of the mask marking is smaller on the female. The rest of its head and the lower half of its wings are black. Starly has a long, orange beak with a black tip, and oval, black eyes with white pupils. A small tuft of feathers curls over the back and its head, and a small, pointed ruff surrounds its neck. It has two black tail feathers with a white feather between them. Its feet are orange with three toes in the front and one in the back. It preys on small Bug Pokémon and Cherubi's nutrient-rich second head. In the anime, it has also been seen consuming the acorn-like Berries grown on the bushes of Grotle.
Starly's small wings are powerful enough to leave foes with an injury that can last for a week. However, although capable of flapping its wings powerfully, Starly is weak and inconspicuous when alone. Starly congregates in mountains and fields, forming large flocks to protect itself. However, individuals will begin to bicker if the group becomes too large. This Pokémon's cry is harsh, and its singing can become annoying.
In When Pokémon Worlds Collide!, Paulcaught three Starly. The first two were released because they did not know Aerial Ace. Although the third could use the move and easily beat Ash's Starly, Paul still deemed it weak and released it as well in the same episode.
In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Flying in the Air, Hoopa summoned multiple Starly to create wind for Ash and Pikachu, but their combined Gust was too much for them and sent them blasting off.
A Starly appeared in League Unleashed!, under the ownership of a young man.
In Zoroark: Master of Illusions, multiple Starly were living in Crown City. A flock of them worked together with the other Pokémon in surrounding Zorua in the park, intent on attacking him as retribution for what Zoroark did to the city. Before a fight could break out, the Starly, along with the other Pokémon, were calmed down by Celebi.
Starly, the Starling Pokémon. A Normal and Flying type. Starly moves in large flocks. Its body may be small, but its wing muscles are extremely strong.
"A Starling Pokémon. It usually lives and travels in large flocks, so a single Starly will go unnoticed. To make up for this, its call is very noisy. It can often be found in places with heavy vegetation. Its small frame and cute appearance belie the incredible power with which it flaps its wings. When it levels up, it evolves into Staravia."
They live in the fields and mountains, gathering in large flocks. Their cries are quite obnoxious. Though small, their wings are strong—a strike from them leaves pain that persists for a week.
On clear days, you’ll often see Starly flying around the research camp. Sometimes they get startled and flee, but even then, they tend to stay close by. It’s surprisingly brave of them.
In Generation V games, Starly's Hidden Ability is the same as its first Ability, Keen Eye, unlike its evolutions, which have the Hidden Ability Reckless. A Starly that evolves into a Staravia with Reckless can be bred to produce Starly that will evolve into a Staravia with Reckless. If a Starly that will evolve into a Staravia with Reckless is transferred to the Generation VI games, its Ability will become Reckless.
This means that in Generation V, Starly is the only unevolved Pokémon without a Hidden Ability that evolves into a Pokémon with a Hidden Ability.
Overworld sprites of Starly are shown in the intro of Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum and before the player and their rival encounter them in battle. They are the only non-Legendary Pokémon to have overworld sprites in Diamond and Pearl that are not allowed in Amity Square.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
Yache Berry (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Starly images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
