By Jo
The Pokemon Black and White games came out with quite a few flying-type Pokemon who are designed based off from existing bird species. The Pidove line is based off from birds found in cities, which makes sense considering areas found in the newest region are based off from New York City.
Pidove is a small bird. Its eyes are a golden color and most of its body is made up of grey colored feathers. Its wings have black stripes and its chest appears to have a lighter portion of feathers in the shape of a heart. It has pink feet. Pidove was the first ‘Who’s That Pokemon?’ in the Best Wishes season of the anime. According to its pokedex entries, Pidove are frequently found in cities. Because of this, they are accustomed to people and often gather in parks and plazas in large numbered flocks. While each will follow its trainers commands as best as it can, they sometimes fail to understand complicated commands. Pidove is most-likely based off from pigeons and doves, as its habitat is similar to pigeons and its heart shaped patch of feathers is probably a reference to doves as they normally are used to symbolize love. Pidove’s name seems to a combination of the words ‘pigeon’ and ‘dove’.
Once Pidove reaches level 21 it evolves into Tranquill. Tranquill is a bit larger than Pidove and its legs much longer. Tranquill’s design is most-likely based off from the Greater Roadrunner, a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family. It has a long, trailing tail that has dark markings. Most of the feathers covering its body are a light grey, though its head is colored black and almost looks as if it is wearing an old fashioned wig. According to its pokedex entries, Tranquill can return to its trainer’s location regardless of the distance separating them. Many people believe that, deep in the forest where Tranquill live, there is a peaceful place where there is no war. Tranquill’s name most-likely comes from the word ‘tranquil’ (as in peaceful and unstressed) and ‘quill’, a feather from the tail of a bird. Tranquill’s name could reference the fact that Tranquill are peaceful Pokemon with long tail feathers.
Finally, Tranquill reaches its final form at level 32 when it evolves into Unfezant. Unfezant, along with the Frillish evolutionary line, are the only Generation V Pokemon to have a gender difference. The gender difference occurring in Unfezant reflect the physical differences in real-life birds, in which the males are normally more colorful and have longer feathers. According to the pokedex, male Unfezant swing their head plumage to threaten opponents. The females are said to surpass the males when it comes to flying abilities. It is said that Unfezant won’t let anything near it other than its trainer. Unfezant seems to be based off from a pheasant, which is a type of game bird, and possibly a turkey. Its name seems to be a combination of the words ‘unpleasant’, ‘unfazed’, and ‘pheasant’.
Tags: Generation V, Pidove, Pokemon Black & White, Tranquill, Unfezant