Wings Alexander's Noctowl
Noctowl is an avian Pokémon that resembles an owl. It has light brown plumage with a darker brown pattern of triangles on its chest. Its fan-like tail is the same dark brown, while its wings are a slightly lighter shade of brown with light brown undersides. It has red eyes with black rings around them and a second, cream-colored ring around the first. Above its eyes are bushy, cream-colored feather "horns" that resemble large eyebrows. Its small beak and talons are pinkish, and its feet are cream-colored with three toes facing forward and one backward. As shown in the anime, Noctowl can grow a small beard in its elderly stages.
Noctowl is a nocturnal Pokémon that is called "the emperor of dark nights" by some. It has exceptional eyes that concentrate the faintest light and give it night vision, supple wings capable of silent flight, and it can twist its head at a 180-degree angle to increase its intellect. Its superior senses and intellect allow it to catch prey without fail in the darkness. It can also turn its head upside down, which signals that it is troubled by something. If disturbed in this state, it will peck at the offender. Noctowl is most commonly found nesting in trees in temperate and boreal forests.
Shiny Noctowl in the anime
Major appearances
In Fowl Play!, a man was trying to capture a small, Shiny Noctowl with traps but kept failing due to the Owl Pokémon's intelligence. After Team Rocket was sent flying, Noctowl allowed Ash to have the chance to catch it. After an intense battle, Ash succeeded.
Other
In Throwing in the Noctowl, Wings Alexander owns a Noctowl. For most of the episode, it was sleeping in its Trainer's plane, but it finally flew out to help Ash's own Noctowl when the flight encountered problems.
In A Relay in the Sky!, Ornithol owns a Noctowl, which shares his aspirations to win the Pokémon Sky Relay. However, it never competed with him in the competition since Ornithol was never able to catch two more eligible Pokémon.
In JN079, Katsuki used a Noctowl as a mode of transportation. It later battled Haruhi and Chloe, only to be defeated.
Minor appearances
Multiple wild Noctowl debuted in Fowl Play!.
In For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!, a Noctowl protected the Tin Tower after Team Rocket stole the Crystal Bells on the top floor.
In Who's Flying Now?, a Noctowl was featured in the Fortree City Feather Festival.
In Going for Choke!, a Coordinator's Noctowl competed in the Battle Stage of the Mulberry Contest.
In Once More With Reeling!, a Coordinator's Noctowl competed in the Terracotta Contest.
A Noctowl appeared in Dawn Of A New Era!.
A Noctowl appeared in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.
A Noctowl appeared in Aiding the Enemy!.
In Pursuing a Lofty Goal!, a Trainer's Noctowl competed in the Squallville PokéRinger and battled a Fearow.
In Beating the Bustle and Hustle!, a Trainer's Noctowl participated in the fake Sinnoh Pokémon Hustle that Team Rocket had set up.
In Meowth, Colress and Team Rivalry!, Meowth's fantasy featured a Noctowl.
Multiple Noctowl appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
A Noctowl appeared in The Power of Us.
Pokédex entries
Episode
|
Pokémon
|
Source
|
Entry
|
DP185
|
Noctowl
|
Dawn's Pokédex
|
Noctowl, the Owl Pokémon, and the evolved form of Hoothoot. Noctowl's eyes have a special power that allows it to see in the faintest light, as if it was the middle of the day.
|
|
- Noctowl's Shiny form is the first Shiny Pokémon to appear in the anime.
Origin
Noctowl seems to be based on a horned owl, particularly the Eurasian eagle-owl due to its red eyes. The feathers that make up its "horns" also resemble a pair of large, bushy eyebrows, which can be interpreted as a sign of age and wisdom, traits that are sometimes associated with owls. This association with wisdom may also explain its ability to learn various Psychic-type moves.
Name origin
Noctowl may be a combination of nocturnal and owl.
Yorunozuku may be a combination of 夜 yoru (night) and 木菟 mimizuku (horned owl).