Staraptor is a grayish-brown, avian Pokémon similar to a large bird of prey. It has small, red eyes and a thin, yellow beak with a black tip. There is a circular white patch on its forehead, which is smaller on the female. Larger white markings cover the front of its throat and chest, separated by a black ruff encircling the shoulders. A red-tipped black crest extends over its head, nearly reaching the tip of its beak. Staraptor is fussy about the shape of this comb, which it uses to appear larger and frighten enemies. It has large wings, five black-tipped tail feathers, and yellow feet with black talons.
After evolving, Staraptor leaves its flock to live alone, as it has become strong enough to take care of itself. It can be highly aggressive, persistently attacking even larger foes in spite of illness or injury. Its powerful wing and leg muscles allow it to fly effortlessly while carrying other Pokémon, small or large.
As a result of Mega Evolution, Mega Staraptor is much bulkier. Its previous grayish-brown plumage has turned into a light gray color, featuring several golden semilunar markings on the wings and tail feathers, which have grown to resemble a cape. Its red-tipped crest, now light gray as well, extends longer, almost covering its right eye, and is further adorned by three upward-pointing feathers at the base. The white plumage on Mega Staraptor's chest is puffier, resembling a singular giant feather in appearance, and the feathers composing Mega Staraptor's ruff end in red tips, except in the front. There is a small cowlick on its throat plumage. Its upper beak has a black marking, its sclerae are black, and its talons have grown larger and sharper.
Mega Staraptor is regarded as an excellent flier. Its strength has increased to the extent that it can effortlessly carry a Steelix, which weighs 881.8 lbs (400 kilograms), while maneuvering through the skies.
It has left the flock, having gained strength enough to survive on its own. The astounding force with which Staraptor flies through the air allows it to carry away large, burly targets.
In A Relay in the Sky!, Orson used a Staraptor during the second leg of the Pokémon Sky Relay and took over the ribbon from Orson's Staravia. It was successfully able to deliver his ribbon to Orson's Starly for the final leg.
Staraptor, the Predator Pokémon, and the evolved form of Staravia. Staraptor's ferocious nature means that it has no problem challenging much larger opponents.
A wild Staraptor appeared at the beginning of Bidoof's Big Stand. It chased after the titular Bidoof until it got scared away by an Aura Sphere. Later in the episode, Bidoof faces off against another Staraptor, this time under the ownership of a Trainer, during the Pokémon League finals.
A Staraptor is one of the Pokémon used by the Advanced level Grunt of Team Galactic. It was first used to take the Grunt to the destroyed camera machine used by Saturn in his fight against Paka and Uji. It was later used in the mugging of Mr. Berlitz and later to battle Diamond at the Galactic HQ. It first appeared in Great Gible.
Staraptor is the only Pokémon whose primary type changes when Mega Evolving, changing from Normal-type to Fighting-type.
Origin
Staraptor is based on the white-cheeked starling, a common species of bird found throughout Asia, combined with a bird of prey. Although it largely resembles the starling in appearance, much of its inspiration comes from hawks and falcons, particularly its predatory nature and aerial speed. It also has strong similarities to the harpy eagle. The feathers hanging over its face are similar to the long-crested eagle. Its overall design could be a pun on the "sparrowhawk", a common name for medium-sized raptors that specialize in hunting small birds.
Mega Staraptor's enormous size and strength could be a reference to the roc, a legendary gigantic bird known to prey on giant serpents and other large animals. Its ability to easily carry Steelix could refer to these habits.
Name origin
Staraptor is a combination of starling and raptor (a predatory bird).
Mukuhawk is a combination of 椋鳥 mukudori (gray starling) and hawk.
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.