Physiology
Zapdos takes the form of a large bird with black and yellow plumage. Its spiky feathers make it look like its made of, or struck by lightning. Its tail feathers stick out in several directions, furthering this illusion. It has a large crest of feathers around its head, and distinctive black rings around its eyes. Its beak is very long and thin, and is the same orange color as its legs. In contrast to the bright colors of its body, it has gray-brown legs. While Zapdos is the smallest and lightest of the legendary birds, it is still a fairly large Pokémon.
Gender differences
Zapdos is a genderless species.
Special abilities
When Zapdos flaps its glittering wings it releases electricity, potentially causing thunder storms.
Behavior
Zapdos is one of the legendary birds of Kanto. They are poorly understood species, believed by many to be pure myth. They are always seen in conjunction with thunderstorms. It is believed that it gathers energy from the electricity in the atmosphere. It is also reported to cause massive crackling and snapping sounds when it flies; these are contributed to the lightning bolts it is said to shed when it flies.
Habitat
Zapdos is usually always seen during electrical storms, and appears to live in thunderclouds. One is said to live in an abandoned power plant in Kanto. It can be construed that it is attracted by the electricity of the plant. However they are extremely rare, possible one-of-a-kind.
Diet
Main article: Pokémon food
When released from a Pokéball, Zapdos uses a powerful Thundershock that hits opponents several times to produce a substantial amount of damage.
Trophy information
Zapdos flaps its wings, and summer storms appear, throwing lightning every which way. It's said that you can hear this legendary Pokémon coming, as its wings make a very distinctive popping sound as it flies. In addition to electrical moves like the dreaded Thunder, it also wields a vicious move called Drill Peck.
Origin
Zapdos is based on the Native American legend of the thunderbird. The thunderbird was known for being the spirit of thunder, lightning, and rain in the form of a giant bird. The beating of the wings was said to create thunder.
Name origin
Zapdos's name is a combination of the word zap and the Spanish word for two, dos, indicating that it is the second in the series of Kanto legendary birds. Its Japanese name is simply Thunder.
In other languages
- German: Zapdos
- French: Electhor - A combination of electric and Thor, the Norse God of thunder.
