Every region in the Pokémon world has a set of cool characteristics that make them unique. They all have their own Starters, Legendaries, and Mythicals. They also have individual regional birds, some of which are massive fan favorites.
These birds usually roam the games' early routes, and because of their commonality and user-friendliness, they are crucial parts of new or inexperienced players' teams. The majority of these birds are very decent, and a few are superstars in their home regions. Even so, they can't all be great, and there is a consensus among fans of who reigns supreme in the regional bird ranking.
Unfezant
Generation V introduced the most original Pokémon out of any generation, with a whopping 156. So, naturally, not all of them were winners right out the bat. One bird that was particularly underwhelming was the plain and uninspired Unfezant. Based on a pheasant, everything about this bird is forgettable. Most fans even forget that Ash caught a female Unfezant in the anime.
Male members of the species have a pink waddle around their eyes that provides some flavor to their otherwise dull design; females, however, are as plain as they come. Type-wise, Unfezant is another Normal/Flying bird with stats on par with its fellow birds. The lack of originality, there's nothing particularly memorable about this creature
Toucannon
There is some confusion among the fandom as to who is Alola's regional bird. The consensus is that Pikipek and its evolutions, Trumbeak and Toucannon, fit the bill the best. Toucannon, yet another Normal/Flying Pokémon, is an angry-looking bird that wears its inspirations on its sleeves. It's a toucan with a beak that acts as a cannon. Clearly, the Pokémon designers didn't put too much thought into this one.
In the stat department, Toucannon has exceptionally high Attack but lacks in all the other departments. Its one saving grace is its incredible shiny coloring, which turns its orange beak into a collection of neon pinks and purples. A bit more original but nothing too memorable.
Swellow
Poor Swellow is horribly weak. With a pitiful base stat total of just 455, it's nearly impossible to use it past the games' mid-point. It has an admirable 125 Speed, but it comes at the expense of every single other stat, making it an inconvenient choice for any Hoenn team.
What makes Swellow stand out a bit above its station is its role in the anime. Ash caught one early on in Hoenn and used it for most of his journey. Along with Pikachu, Swellow starred in one of Pokémon's most rule-breaking battles against Tate and Liza. Another point in its favor is its instantly memorable shiny, which turns its dull blue-and-red color scheme into a more vibrant and eye-catching mix of green and yellow.
Noctowl
Noctowl exists in an intriguing space. Most fans know about it, but hardly anyone uses it in a playthrough. Noctowl isn't forgettable, on the contrary, it had a substantial role in the anime, and many Johto fans remember it fondly. Generation II doesn't have an abundance of Flying-types, but there's at least one Johto flier that severely outranks Noctowl in every department: Crobat.
As such, and despite having a mostly positive reputation, Noctowl isn't anyone's first choice. It doesn't help that many fans think it's a Psychic/Flying Pokémon, only to discover it's just another Normal/Flying-type. Considering the absurd amount of Psychic moves it learns via leveling up, its Normal-type is unacceptable.
Pidgeot
The original is always the best. Well, most of the time. Pidgeot was an okay bird, and it, of course, held a special place in fans' hearts for being part of the original 150 Pokémon in Gen I. However, as the years went by, its standing began to decrease, particularly after Generation IV.
Generation VI was a gamechanger for this respected bird. It received a Mega Evolution, effectively preventing it from descending into oblivion. As Pidgeot, it has a decent 479 Base Stat Total with an extra focus on Speed. As Mega Pidgeot, its total rises to 579; its Speed goes up, and its Special Attack skyrockets from a measly 70 to a shocking 135. Mega Pidgeot isn't the strongest Mega, not by a long shot, and the rest of its stats remain below average, but it does receive a considerable boost, enough to place it in the top tier of regional birds.
Talonflame
When it first debuted in Generation VI, Talonflame was an instant hit. Its type combination was incredible because of how many dual-type Fire/Flying Pokémon are out there. However, it was its Hidden Ability that took it to a whole other level. Gale Wings increased the priority of Flying-type moves by one, making attacks like Brave Bird even deadlier.
Generation VII was Talonflame's undoing. Like many Pokémon before, this flaming bird got nerfed because Gale Wings changed so that it only worked when the user was at full HP. Still, thanks to its fantastic 126 Speed, and a type-combination that gives it one immunity and six resistances, Talonflame remains one of Kalos' brightest stars.
Staraptor
The Sinnoh region has plenty of outstanding Pokémon, and Staraptor is one of them. A fan-favorite, this Normal/Flying-type defied expectations and became one of Generation IV's most beloved and advantageous mons, cementing its place in the annals of Pokémon history.
Thanks to high Speed and Attack stats, Staraptor is an ideal offensive Pokémon. It hits hard and very fast, decimating its opponents before they even get the chance to attack. Its design is sleek but instantly memorable, enhances by its red-tipped crest that extends over its head. Staraptor remained at the highest peak of the regional bird chart, and even if it's now in second place, its reputation is pristine. Fans can't wait to catch and train it again in the upcoming Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl remakes.
Corviknight
Generation VIII was divisive from the get-go, with everything from the graphics to the narrative being controversial. However, there's one thing every fan agreed on, and that's that Corviknight is the absolute best regional bird. With an unbearably cool design and a type combination like no other, Corviknight reigns supreme above all other birds.
Without a doubt, Steel is the best type in Pokémon. Indeed, this armored bird has two immunities and a staggering eight resistances, and it's all because of its secondary Steel typing. Add to that a strong 495 Base Stat Total and an always appreciated Gigantamax form, and the result is a bird-like no other in Pokémon, deserving of its title as the best in the franchise.