Name: Articuno
Classifcation: Freeze
Type: Ice/flying
Number: 144
Evolution: none
Length: 1.70 meters (including tail)
Weight: 5,5 kilograms
Animal type: Bird of Paradise
Habitat: tundra/arctic
Description: When the first evidence of this bird’s existence reached scientists, through a mounted specimen left to a museum after the death of a pokémon collector, searches were immediately begun in the tropical regions of the world, believing that this was a bird-of-paradise-pokémon. However, decades of research showed no results, leading to the believe that the bird was extinct. The eventual (re)discovery was completely by accident. Studying wildlife in the Arctic, dr. K. Muller (who, at the time, specialised in Seel and Dewgong) reported seeing “a marvellous blue bird, with a tail of at least three feet [1 metre], flying from the sea” (Muller, 1977). Later seeing the mounted Articuno (then simply called ‘Blue bird of paradise’) at the museum it was donated to, Muller instantly recognised it and set up a new expedition to find the mystery bird. After five weeks, they finally spotted the Articuno. Muller, in his enthusiasm, ordered the bird to be captured. This was quickly accomplished and the bird was extensively photographed and described. However, the bird refused all food offered to it and died within three days. Since then, Articuno (renamed so by Muller) has rarely been spotted and never been captured again. It has been seen from relatively southern tundra’s to the permanent arctic ice. It is always seen flying either to or from the sea, but attempts to follow it always end in failure due to dense fog or impassable terrain. Both specimens, the mounted one and Muller’s Articuno, were male, so nothing is known about female Articuno and any sexual dimorphism of the species. It’s beak suggests it eats seeds, but it’s a mystery where it would find them in it’s arctic habitat. It’s regular trips to sea could indicate it eats fish, but it is everything but build for fishing. With the use of helicopters and satellites, attempts have been made to locate the Articunos nesting place(s), but so far, these have not had any success.