Rowlet was born into a flock of Pikipek, led by a Toucannon and Trumbeak. In its debut episode, it joined its flock to gather fruit from a town on Melemele Island. Rowlet mistook a wind chime for food, and brought its bounty to its nest, only to be scolded by Trumbeak that evening and being sent back to gather more.
The next day, a tired Rowlet noticed a sweet smell being produced by Mallow's Bounsweet. Believing it to be fruit, Rowlet tried to take Bounsweet, only to be deflected each time it tried. Eventually, an exhausted Rowlet fell out of the sky, but was caught in time by Ash. It was then given a bunch of fruit to eat and after finishing its meal, it took a watermelon and returned to its nest, prompting Ash and Mallow to follow it.
Ash and Mallow soon found Rowlet's nest, but their reunion was cut short by Team Rocket, who arrived to take back the berries the flock had taken from Bewear. After trapping the flock in nets, Team Rocket set their sights on Pikachu. While Pikachu battled Jessie's Mimikyu, Rowlet freed its friends and then used Leafage to save Pikachu from Mimikyu's attack. Before the battle could go on any longer, Bewear returned and carried Team Rocket back to its den. Ash thanked Rowlet for saving the day before saying goodbye, not wanting to separate it from its family in its nest. Seeing how it wanted to join Ash, Toucannon gave Rowlet its permission to leave the nest. Rowlet happily dove into Ash's backpack and waved goodbye to its family. Delighted, Ash threw a Poké Ball at Rowlet and caught it.
Personality and characteristics
Ash and Rowlet, roosting in his backpack
Rowlet showing its personality
Rowlet is somewhat naive and inexperienced. In its debut episode, Rowlet brought a wind chime from a market on Melemele Island to its nest, thinking it was food. It also attempted to take Mallow's Bounsweet to its nest multiple times, despite being attacked by her each time it tried. Rowlet also seems to be a very relaxed Pokémon, as shown in SM005, when it spent most of the episode not being bothered by what was going on around it, whether that includes being splashed by water or being kidnapped by Team Rocket. Rowlet is often seen sleeping during the day, only waking up when it is needed by someone else, such as its Trainer. In its time as a wild Pokémon, it was even seen nodding off while being lectured by its caretaker, Trumbeak.
Ash and Rowlet quickly bonded after meeting each other. Rowlet likes roosting and sleeping in his backpack.