Zapdos is a large, avian Pokémon with predominantly yellow feathers. It has small, triangular eyes surrounded by black and a long, thin, light orange beak. Its wings and tail are adorned with spiky feathers, while black feathers cover the back of its wings and inner tail. A spiked crest encircles its head. Its thighs are tan, and it has thin, light orange legs with three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe on each foot, all tipped with short talons.
When Zapdos flaps its shimmering wings, it releases electricity that can trigger thunderstorms. Flying produces loud crackling and snapping sounds due to the lightning bolts it sheds. This Pokémon reportedly appears only during thunderstorms and grows stronger when struck by lightning. It supposedly resides among thunderclouds but is rarely seen. Legend has it that Zapdos enjoys treats made by Snacksworth, who once witnessed it flying past him.
Forms
Zapdos has a regional form: Galarian Zapdos.
In Galar, Zapdos looks different. Its body is red-orange with black feathers. It has yellow eyes framed by more pronounced, mask-like black coloration, a shorter black beak, and a longer neck. Its legs are black, muscular, and longer, with thigh feathers also black. Its talons are yellow with red rings at their bases. Its wings are smaller and red-orange, with small black markings reminiscent of its Kantonian counterpart’s plumage. Additionally, it has rows of spiky feathers along its chest and back.
Galarian Zapdos is naturally belligerent and constantly seeks out stronger opponents to test its strength. Its powerful legs allow for devastating kicks capable of destroying a dump truck, and it can run across mountains at up to 180 mph (300 km/h). Though its wings have atrophied so much it can barely fly, its movements are incredibly swift, likened to a lightning strike. This Pokémon earned its name from the electric-like crackling sounds produced by its feathers rubbing together. Constantly migrating, it can be found in the Crown Tundra every few decades, gathering at the Dyna Tree to eat its fruits alongside other bird Pokémon.
