Physiology
Moltres takes the form of a large bird with flame-colored plumage, resembling a phoenix. Its dazzling wings, and elaborate head crest appear to be covered with flames. It has a straight, pointed brown break, which is the same color as its feet. Compared to the other legendary birds, it has the smallest feet and legs. It is the largest of the legendary birds, however its feathers make up a good portion of its bulk.
Gender differences
Moltres is a genderless species.
Special abilities
When it flaps its wings, it creates a brilliant flash of flames. Also, Moltres is one of the few Pokémon known to naturally wield the very powerful flying-type move Sky Attack.
Behavior
Moltres is one of the legendary birds of Kanto. They are a poorly understood species, believed by many to be pure myth. Its behavior is largely clandestine, but it appears to migrate to the south during the springtime. There are many folk-tales surrounding this species, but perhaps the most popular is that its appearance will bring about an early spring. Documented sightings of this Pokémon are fairly consistent, and usually include dazzling orange colored flames. When Moltres flaps its wings, it sheds hundreds of tiny embers. It is believed that fire has healing properties, it is said to immerse itself in molten lava if it is injured.
Habitat
Moltres appear to live in hot regions, particularly active volcanoes. They are spectacularly rare, very possibly one-of-a-kind. Moltres have been sighted on Victory Road and near the Sevii Islands.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
- Moltres is one of the three Legendary Pokémon whose location was changed through Generations.
- Moltres's original sprites from Generation I (Except Yellow) and II often depicted it to have wings completely engulfed in flames. But in its more recent sprites, Pokémon Yellow sprites and artwork it is depicted with wings that are only partially covered in flames.
- Although Legendarys can not be bred, in Pokémon Snap Moltres and the other birds are in eggs, which shows that they were bred in some type of way.
- Moltres shares the same species name as Charmeleon and Charizard, Flareon, and Infernape. They are all known as Flame Pokémon.
- When introduced, Moltres was the only of his trio which didn't have a unique type combination.
- Its appearance is very similar to that of the Donkey Kong enemy, Fire Necky another bird covered in flame.
Origin
Like Ho-Oh, Moltres is based on the legend of the phoenix. However, Moltres is based on the phoenix of Arabic legend. Others claim that the bird is based on the Japanese mythical bird known as 朱雀 Suzaku, guardian of the South, and is not a true phoenix. Regardless, the Pokémon has a very similar appearance to both the phoenix and the Suzaku.
Name origin
Moltres's name is a combination of the words molten and the Spanish word for three, tres, indicating that it is the third in the series of Kanto legendary birds. Its Japanese name is simply Fire.