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Honchkrow is a dark-blue avian Pokémon with plumage resembling a person dressed in formal attire, one that most resembles a mob boss. It has a large feather crest resembling a fedora hat that has spikes extending from the back. It has circular red eyes with white sclerae and dark blue eyelids. Its yellow beak is slightly curved, and its head is supported by a broad, short neck. Honchkrow has a white and prominent crest of feathers on its chest that bears resemblance to a beard or cravat. Its wings have red feathers on the inside. Honchkrow has black feet with four toes. The tail's base is a white, cylindrical stalk, on which there is a growth of red feathers on the end. Honchkrow is known to be ruthless. With a mere cry, it can summon and organize flocks of Murkrow in this manner and is known as the "summoner of the night" by the pitch-black darkness that often accompany such a spectacle.
It is said that a Honchkrow will never forgive the mistakes of the Murkrow that follow it. These flocks have been seen flying at night. The purpose of the flocks is unclear, but they are known to collect food for the Honchkrow that organized them. Honchkrow normally spends the daytime hours tending to its feathers in solitude. It is a scavenger that lives in swamps, forests, human towns and cities, and plains.
Honchkrow made its main series debut in a flashback in Lost Leader Strategy!, where it was revealed that Paul's Murkrow had evolved into one. Honchkrow made its physical debut in Aiding the Enemy!, where it battled Turtwig.
Other
Multiple Honchkrow appeared in Mystery on a Deserted Island!, where at least one them was part of the Pirate's crew of Pokémon. Many of the Big Boss Pokémon later appeared on the Deserted Island with the treasure. When Ash and his friends went to the island, the Honchkrow were the first Pokémon the group saw.
Minor appearances
Honchkrow debuted in The Rise of Darkrai, under the ownership of a Coordinator named Allegra. It was sent out to try and clear away the fog surrounding Alamos Town with Defog. However, the move didn't work due to the fog being a by-product of Palkia's control over the space in the area.
Honchkrow, the Big Boss Pokémon and the evolved form of Murkrow. Honchkrow recruits many Murkrow to travel with it, and it spends much of its time at home preening its feathers.
Honchkrow's English name uses a Japanese-origin word in its name ("honcho" is derived from hanchō), while Honchkrow's Japanese name uses a western-origin word in its name ("don" is derived from Italian don and Latin dominus). Both are leader-like names and sometimes are used for leaders of shadier organizations.
Honchkrow is based on a crow or raven. With its bulkier, more powerful appearance, Honchkrow looks much more like a raven than its pre-evolved form does, but its coloration resembles that of the hooded crow. While Murkrow appears to be based on witches of western folklore, Honchkrow's appearance is reminiscent of a crime boss, giving a new interpretation to Murkrow as a gang member under Honchkrow. Its crest even looks like a wide-brimmed fedora hat, an article of clothing often associated with mobsters. However, Honchkrow's tail does resemble a besom broom, which has long been connected with witchcraft, and its hat- and beard-like feathers also give the impression of a sorcerer or wizard. The design of Honchkrow's hat could also take inspiration from the hardened crests likened to that of the great hornbill and the cassowary.
Name origin
Honchkrow is a combination of honcho (a leader or boss) and crow.
Dongkarasu is a combination of don and 烏 karasu (crow).
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.