Starly is an avian Pokémon with primarily grayish-brown plumage. There is a white marking on its face resembling a mask, and a white spot on its chest. The top portion of the mask marking is smaller on the female. The rest of its head and the lower half of its wings are black. Starly has a long, orange beak with a black tip, and oval, black eyes with white pupils. A small tuft of feathers curls over the back and its head, and a small, pointed ruff surrounds its neck. It has two black tail feathers with a white feather between them. Its feet are orange with three toes in the front and one in the back.
Starly's small wings are powerful enough to leave foes with an injury that can last for a week. However, although capable of flapping its wings powerfully, Starly is weak and inconspicuous when alone. Starly congregates in mountains and fields, forming large flocks to protect itself. However, individuals will begin to bicker if the group becomes too large. This Pokémon's cry is harsh, and its singing can become annoying. It preys on small Bug Pokémon and Cherubi's nutrient-rich second head. As depicted in The Lonely Snover!, it has also been seen consuming the acorn-like Berries grown on the bushes of Grotle.
Evolution
Starly evolves into Staravia, which evolves into Staraptor.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Main series
Major appearances
Continuing his Flying-type Pokémon tradition, Ash caught a Starly in Two Degrees of Separation!. It was then commonly used to pop Team Rocket's balloon until it evolved into a Staravia in A Staravia is Born!. In Pursuing a Lofty Goal!, it eventually evolved into its final form during the Squallville PokéRinger competition.
Other
Starly debuted in Following A Maiden's Voyage!, where it was being examined at Professor Rowan's lab alongside a Staraptor. It escaped during a fight between a Piplup and a Chimchar, two of Rowan's first partner Pokémon, but it later returned.
In When Pokémon Worlds Collide!, Paul caught three Starly. The first two were released because they did not know Aerial Ace. Although the third could use the move and easily beat Ash's Starly, Paul still deemed it weak and released it as well in the same episode.
In A Relay in the Sky!, Orson's Starly competed in the Pokémon Sky Relay alongside its evolved forms.
In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Flying in the Air, Hoopa summoned multiple Starly to create wind for Ash and Pikachu, but their combined Gust was too much for them and sent them blasting off.
Minor appearances
Multiple Starly appeared in Setting the World on Its Buneary!.
A Starly appeared in The Champ Twins!.
In One Big Happiny Family!, a Starly was healed by Brock after being injured.
In Lost Leader Strategy!, three Starly were under Reggie's care.
A Starly appeared in Enter Galactic!.
Two Starly appeared in The Lonely Snover!.
A Starly appeared in Sliding Into Seventh!.
A Starly appeared in League Unleashed!, under the ownership of a young man.
In Zoroark: Master of Illusions, multiple Starly were living in Crown City. A flock of them worked together with the other Pokémon in surrounding Zorua in the park, intent on attacking him as retribution for what Zoroark did to the city. Before a fight could break out, the Starly, along with the other Pokémon, were calmed down by Celebi.
In DPS01, a Starly was outside Professor Rowan's lab.
A Starly appeared in Mewtwo — Prologue to Awakening.
In Genesect and the Legend Awakened, multiple Starly were living at Pokémon Hills.
A Starly appeared in The Dream Continues!.
In Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, multiple Starly were living at Allearth Forest.
From Summer of Discovery! to Battling Into the Hall of Fame!, a Trainer's Starly attended the Pokémon Summer Camp.
A Trainer's Starly appeared in A Performance Pop Quiz!.
In A Full-Strength Battle Surprise!, three Starly fled from Team Flare as they conducted an experiment.
In Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, multiple Starly were living at the Nebel Plateau.
Multiple Starly appeared in Nightfall? Nightmares!.
A Trainer's Starly appeared in The Gates of Warp!.
A Starly appeared in The Road Most Traveled!.
Multiple Starly appeared in The Pendant That Starts It All (Part One).
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP002
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Starly
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Ash's Pokédex
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Starly, the Starling Pokémon. Starly normally travels in a flock, but when alone, it is hard to notice.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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JN074
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Starly
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Chloe's Rotom Phone
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Starly, the Starling Pokémon. A Normal and Flying type. Starly moves in large flocks. Its body may be small, but its wing muscles are extremely strong.
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Pokémon Evolutions
Two Starly appeared in a flashback in The Rival. They attacked Lucas and Barry at Lake Verity, forcing them to choose a Chimchar and Piplup from Professor Rowan's briefcase to defend themselves, eventually scaring them off.
Bidoof's Big Stand
In Bidoof's Big Stand, a group of Starly attacked the titular Bidoof while it tried to eat an Oran Berry, but soon after, the group left, giving way to a Staraptor.