Delibird is a red, penguin-like Pokémon with a white, hollow tail. Its face and chest are covered in white feathers with two, three-pointed crests above its eyes. Black markings surround its circular eyes, and it has a light yellow beak and feet. There is a single white spot on its stomach. Its feet have two digits each.
Delibird carries food bundled up in its tail. It normally gives stored food to its chicks, but has been known to share its food with humans stranded on icy mountains. Delibird's signature move, Present, allows it to carry special items in its tail that may cause damage or heal its opponent. Delibird tends to live in mountainous regions, making its nests over sharp cliffs; one notable area of the world is around Mt. Everest.
In the anime
Delibird in the anime
Major appearances
Delibird first appeared in Delibird's Dilemma under the ownership of Santa Claus. Ash's Totodile shot a Delibird that was delivering presents clear out of the sky with a Water Gun-propelled snowball. Pikachu and co. had to help the Delivery Pokémon find the five presents before midnight.
Delibird, the Delivery Pokémon. Delibird’s most unique attack is giving presents, however, some of these presents have been known to explode. Sometimes, Delibird’s presents can actually restore energy to its opponents.
In the manga
Delibird in Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Delibird debuted in You Ain't Nothin' but a Houndour under the owner ship of the Masked Man, where it along with his other Pokémon attacked Gold. It is the most common Pokémon that have been used by him. It appears to be the same Pokémon used by him in his alias, and was strong enough that it allowed him to capture Ho-Oh. However, Gold was able to knock it out with Polibo's Perish Song attack.
Delibird appears as one of the Pokémon used by Pryce. It first appeared with him in his Gym. It is likely to be the same Delibird used by his alias.
Pokémon Stadium 2: Delibird stars in its own mini-game called "Delibird's Delivery." In this game, players collect presents from one side of the field to the other. The player must avoid Swinub that scurry around or they will trip the Delibird and cause the player to lose the present they were carrying.
Delibird carries its food bundled up in its tail. There once was a famous explorer who managed to reach the peak of Mt. Everest thanks to one of these Pokémon sharing its food.
Maybe because his tail is like a bag, but he is often asked to deliver things to other Pokémon. He can't say no, because he really likes to have others rely on him.
Especially in the Anime, Delibird is shown to have strong ties to Christmas, often aiding Santa in delivering gifts.
This is further referenced by the fact the only attack Delibird learns via level-up is Present.
Origin
Aspects of Delibird's appearance appear to come from the rockhopper penguin. However, its red and white color scheme, its ability to give presents, and the appearance of carrying its sack-like tail may have been derived from Santa Claus and the white stork. Delibird may have also been inspired by puffins, which are penguin-like birds that still have the ability to fly.
Name origin
Delibird is a combination of delivery and bird. Deli may have derived from the Adélie penguin. Pronouncing Delibird with the same inflection as delivered yields a very similar sound, with the "b" and "v" being the only variation between the two words.
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.
NeverMeltIce (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Delibird images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
