No. 0021 · Generation I · Tiny Bird Pokémon
オニスズメOnisuzume · From oni (an ogre or demon of Japanese folklore) and suzume (sparrow) – literally a 'demon sparrow'.
The Tiny Bird Pokémon · Normal/Flying type · first seen in Pokémon Red & Green (1996)
01Overview
Meet Spearow
Everything you need to know about the Tiny Bird Pokémon — the creature behind the number.
Some Pokémon win you over with charm. Spearow wins you over by chasing you halfway across Kanto. The Tiny Bird Pokémon is a scruffy little Normal/Flying-type with an enormous temper, and for a whole generation of fans it was the first wild Pokémon that ever made them run: in the anime's opening episode, one badly aimed stone turned a single cross Spearow into a screeching flock, and a legend was born.
It stands barely 30 centimetres tall, with a rough, dusty-brown head, narrow dark eyes and a short, hooked pink beak built for jabbing. Its wings are a striking pinkish red with paler tips, its back is black and its beige belly carries two thin stripes. Three stiff brown feathers form its tail, and its pale pink feet have two toes pointing forward and one back – a proper perching bird's grip.
“It busily flits around here and there. Even if it is frail, it can be a tough foe that uses Mirror Move.”
Pokédex · Pokémon Red (Japan), Green (Japan) & FireRed · 1996
Those wings are its one weakness. They are too short for soaring, so Spearow has to beat them at a frantic pace just to stay up, and it never flies very high or very far. What it lacks in range it makes up for in speed and sheer nerve: it zips around its patch at full tilt and will square up to almost anything – even much bigger Pokémon – that strays onto its territory. Its shrill, keening cry carries for more than half a mile, so when one Spearow raises the alarm, the whole flock comes running.
It prefers warm, open country such as dry fields and scrubby wasteland. Bugs are its bread and butter – it flaps to flush them out of the grass, then plucks them up with its stubby beak – and it even preys on Sunkern, while keeping a wary eye out for Ekans. Not everyone minds that appetite: farmers whose crops are plagued by Bug-type Pokémon welcome Spearow and look after it, because a hungry flock is the best pest control around.
Spearow is the bad-tempered twin of gentle Pidgey – the two share the Tiny Bird category, but certainly not the attitude. It has been a Route 22 regular since Red and Green, a speedy early catch that shoots up into the long-necked Fearow at level 20. Ash never owned one, yet no Pokémon did more to bring him and Pikachu together – and the Spearow he hit with that rock never forgot it, coming back as a Fearow to settle the score.
How big is Spearow?
At 0.3 m (1′00″) Spearow stands about as tall as a school ruler is long, and at 2.0 kg (4.4 lb) it weighs about the same as two bags of sugar – a lot of attitude packed into a very small bird.
Evolution
02In the Pokédex's words
Spearow's Pokédex entries
14 different entries across 38 games, from 1996 to 2017. Here is how the Pokédex has described Spearow over the years, in the order the games came out.
Generation I
It busily flits around here and there. Even if it is frail, it can be a tough foe that uses Mirror Move.
Kanto Pokédex
Eats bugs in grassy areas. It has to flap its short wings at high speed to stay airborne.
Kanto Pokédex
Inept at flying high. However, it can fly around very fast to protect its territory.
Kanto Pokédex
Its wings are short, so it can't fly a long distance. If it's not eating, it darts around in a hurry.
Kanto Pokédex
Generation II
It flaps its short wings to flush out insects from tall grass. It then plucks them with its stubby beak.
Johto Pokédex
Very protective of its territory, it flaps its short wings busily to dart around at high speed.
Johto Pokédex
To protect its territory, it flies around ceaselessly, making high-pitched cries.
Johto Pokédex
Generation III
Spearow has a very loud cry that can be heard over half a mile away. If its high, keening cry is heard echoing all around, it is a sign that they are warning each other of danger.
Hoenn Pokédex
Its loud cry can be heard over half a mile away. If its high, keening cry is heard echoing all around, it is a sign that they are warning each other of danger.
Hoenn Pokédex
Generation IV
It flaps its small wings busily to fly. Using its beak, it searches in grass for prey.
Sinnoh Pokédex
Generation VII
Its short wings make it inept at flying. It moves about hurriedly and pecks at Bug-type Pokémon in the tall grass.
Rotom Pokédex
Farmers whose fields are troubled by bug Pokémon appreciate Spearow for its vigorous appetite and look after it.
Rotom Pokédex
Its reckless nature leads it to stand up to others—even large Pokémon—if it has to protect its territory.
Rotom Pokédex
Due to its short wings, it can't fly long distances. It wanders about restlessly and pecks at bug Pokémon.
Rotom Pokédex
03Stats, moves & where to find it
Spearow in the video games
Base stat total 262 · 24 core-series games · 24 spin-offs · every move it learns, generation by generation.
Base stats
Spearow's base stats have never changed: 40 HP, 60 Attack, 30 Defense, 31 Sp. Atk, 31 Sp. Def and 70 Speed, a total of 262. In Red, Green, Blue and Yellow it had a single Special stat of 31; when Gold and Silver split Special in two, both Sp. Atk and Sp. Def were set to 31. Speed is its best stat and Attack its second best, while its Defense of 30 is tied for the lowest of any Flying-type species. Base friendship was 70 in Generations II–VII and has been 50 since Generation VIII; its base experience yield was 58 in Generations I–IV and has been 52 since Generation V. It reaches level 100 at 1,000,000 Exp. (Medium Fast), and its catch rate of 255 is the highest possible.
Abilities
- Keen Eyesince Gen III
Stops other Pokémon from lowering Spearow's accuracy; since Sun & Moon it also ignores the target's raised evasiveness. - SniperHidden abilitysince Gen V
Makes Spearow's critical hits even more powerful than usual.
Type matchups
How hard each attacking type hits a Normal/Flying Pokémon.
These matchups have stayed the same since Red and Green. Its Flying type keeps it out of reach of Ground-type moves unless something grounds it (Gravity, Smack Down, Thousand Arrows or an Iron Ball), and its Normal type lets Ghost-type moves pass straight through it unless the attacker has Scrappy or has used Foresight or Odor Sleuth.
Training & breeding
- Catch rate
- 255
- Base friendship
- 50
- Base experience
- 52
- Growth rate
- Medium Fast
- EV yield
- 1 Speed
- Egg groups
- Flying
- Egg cycles
- 15
- Colour
- Brown
- Gender ratio
- 50% male
- Body shape
- wings
Where to find Spearow
| Game | Year | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Red & Green | 1996 | Wild on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23 |
| Blue (Japan) | 1996 | Wild on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23 |
| Red & Blue | 1998 | Wild on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23In Viridian City, one house is home to a pet Spearow nicknamed Speary. |
| Yellow | 1998 | Wild on Routes 3, 4, 9, 16, 18 and 22Your rival Blue brings a Spearow to three of his battles against you. |
| Gold & Silver | 1999 | Wild on Johto Routes 33, 42 and 46 and Kanto Routes 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 22; also in Headbutt trees on Routes 29–33 and 42–44The guard in the Route 35 gatehouse hands you his Spearow, Kenya, to carry a letter to his friend on Route 31. |
| Crystal | 2000 | Wild on Johto Routes 33, 42 and 46 and Kanto Routes 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 22; also in Headbutt trees in Azalea Town and on Routes 33, 42 and 44Kenya the messenger Spearow is still waiting at the Route 35 gatehouse. |
| Ruby & Sapphire | 2002 | Not found in Hoenn – trade only |
| FireRed & LeafGreen | 2004 | Wild on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23; on the Sevii Islands at Kindle Road, Treasure Beach, Mt. Ember, Cape Brink, Water Path, Ruin Valley and Canyon Entrance |
| Emerald | 2004 | Not found in Hoenn – trade only |
| Diamond & Pearl | 2006 | Wild on Routes 225 and 226Both routes are in the Battle Zone, so Spearow only appears after the main story; it can also be migrated through Pal Park's Field area. |
| Platinum | 2008 | Wild on Route 225 |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | 2009 | Wild on Johto Routes 33, 42, 46 and 47, Kanto Routes 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 22 and the Johto Safari Zone's Wetland; also in Headbutt trees on Routes 7, 11, 16, 33, 42, 44, 45 and 46 and in Azalea Town, Vermilion City and Celadon CityWebster at the Route 35 gatehouse still entrusts you with Kenya, and the Pokéwalker's Noisy Forest route has Spearow too. |
| Black & White | 2010 | Not found in the wild – hatch one from a Fearow's Egg or migrate one with Poké TransferPokémon Dream World also offered it in the Windswept Sky. |
| Black 2 & White 2 | 2012 | Not found in the wild – hatch one from a Fearow's Egg or trade |
| X & Y | 2013 | Flying-type Friend Safaris |
| Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire | 2014 | Not found in Hoenn – trade or Pokémon Bank only |
| Sun & Moon | 2016 | Wild on Melemele Island's Routes 2 and 3It can also turn up on Poké Pelago. |
| Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon | 2017 | Wild on Routes 2 and 3 |
| Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! | 2018 | Wild on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 22 and 23 |
| Sword & Shield | 2019 | Unobtainable |
| Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl | 2021 | Wild on Routes 225 and 226 |
| Legends: Arceus | 2022 | Unobtainable |
| Scarlet & Violet | 2022 | Unobtainable |
| Legends: Z-A | 2025 | Unobtainable |
Sprites through the ages
Spin-offs & cameos
Pokémon GO
Spearow has been squawking around Pokémon GO since launch day in July 2016, a common catch that needs 50 Candy to evolve into Fearow and earns a Candy for every kilometre walked as your buddy. It fights with Peck or Quick Attack, backed by Aerial Ace, Drill Peck or Sky Attack – Twister was dropped from its moveset in February 2017. Its moment in the spotlight came on 22 September 2020, when a Spearow Spotlight Hour doubled the XP for evolving, and its Shiny form finally took wing at Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto on 20 February 2021. Shiny Fearow could later be met in the wild too, from 3 March 2026.
Its Jungle card, Mirror Move and all, comes in the Laboratory booster packs of the Game Boy adaptation.
Up for grabs at Pewter City, Vermilion Seaside and Cycling Road on the Red Field, at Viridian City, Mt. Moon and Vermilion Streets on the Blue Field, and at Rock Mountain and Indigo Plateau on both.
Ready to battle in 3D, with a Pokédex entry noting that, when it isn't eating, it darts around in a hurry.
Its Pokédex entry switches between the Gold and Silver texts depending on which Game Boy game you plug in.
The Jungle card returns in the Japan-only sequel, this time in the Sky-Flying Pokémon pack.
A common piece in Endless Levels 49 and 80, Forever Level 8 and Mr. Who's Den.
A Shadow Spearow waits to be snagged at Phenac Stadium – one more angry bird to purify.
Recruitable in Mt. Steel, Pitfall Valley and Remains Island, it lives in the Ravaged Field friend area, and its team line says it all: 'I might be small, but I'm quick!'
Flits around Kisara Plain, and its Browser entry notes that it whips up gusts by busily flapping its small wings.
Can be recruited on 1F–13F of Mystifying Forest and throughout the long Mystery Jungle.
Found on Union Road and the Peril Cliffs; once befriended it can Cut through obstacles, and its Browser entry warns that it attacks by whipping up twisters with its wings.
Back in Mystifying Forest and Mystery Jungle for the expanded Explorers adventure.
A Spearow brother and sister stand guard over the Meadow Zone – and their favourite attraction is Pelipper's Circle Circuit.
Toy Spearow flap around the Meadow's Seabreeze Trail and Everspring Valley.
Turns up in the Conductor Room's King of the Sky and the Variety Battle with the very fitting name It's Drill Time!
Appears on Stage 1 of the Safari Jungle – but only on Saturdays.
A Flying-type puzzle piece found in Desert Umbra (Stage 311), whose Last-Ditch Effort skill hits harder when things are looking desperate.
Joins your Connection Orb as a Traveling Pokémon, linked through Clefable, and it is refreshingly honest: 'I may look busy all the time… To tell you the truth…I AM busy all the time!'
On the map since launch day, it needs 50 Candy to evolve and pecks away with Peck or Quick Attack; its Shiny form arrived at Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto in 2021.
One of the first toys you meet in the tutorial, and later found in the Charizard and Bulbasaur Seas.
Spearow can hatch from Eggs during a Flying- and Psychic-type Egg event, teaming up with your own player character as a sync pair.
Back in Mt. Steel and Pitfall Valley, and also found on the upper floors of Purity Forest.
Moves
Spearow has always fought beak first. In Red and Green it opened with Peck and Growl, glared with Leer, rattled off Fury Attack, copied its foes with Mirror Move and finished with Agility, while a Spearow stubborn enough to put off evolving could drill in with Drill Peck at level 29. Gold and Silver slipped Pursuit into the list and gave it its first egg moves, borrowing Quick Attack from the Pidgey family, Tri Attack from Doduo and False Swipe from Farfetch'd, and Ruby and Sapphire added the never-miss Aerial Ace.
Diamond and Pearl reshuffled everything so that most moves arrive sooner, adding Assurance and Roost and making Drill Peck the grand finale at level 37. Sun and Moon squeezed in Focus Energy, Let's Go trimmed the list to nine moves but handed out Tri Attack and Drill Run as TMs, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl dropped Pursuit and Mirror Move for Wing Attack and Take Down. Spearow has sat out Sword and Shield, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet and Violet and Legends: Z-A, but its oddest move remains the Baton Pass known only by the purified Shadow Spearow from Pokémon XD.
Signature moves
Spearow's very first jab: a 35-power Flying-type stab of the beak that it knows from level 1 in every game it has appeared in, from Red and Green to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
A frantic flurry of pecks that strikes two to five times in a row. Spearow learns it by levelling up in every game, from level 15 in Red and Blue down to level 9 from Diamond and Pearl to X and Y.
The family's trademark corkscrew beak attack, with 80 power and perfect accuracy. It arrived at level 29 in Red and Blue and has been the last move on Spearow's level-up list in every game since Diamond and Pearl.
The cheeky copycat that fires the opponent's last move straight back at it. Spearow learned it from Red and Blue (level 22) all the way to Let's Go (level 19), until Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl swapped it for Wing Attack.
Perfect for a bad-tempered bird: it hits twice as hard if the target tries to switch out. Gold and Silver added it at level 25, Sun and Moon teach it as early as level 8, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl dropped it in favour of an earlier Assurance.
A slashing dive that never misses. Ruby and Sapphire gave it to Spearow at level 25 and as TM40, and it has stayed in every level-up list since, except Let's Go.
The rarest trick in Spearow's book: the Shadow Spearow snagged in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness knows it once purified, no other Spearow can learn it, and it can travel with that bird all the way to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Complete learnsets
Generation I · Red, Green, Blue & Yellow7 level-up · 14 TM/HM
Spearow squawks its way through much of Kanto: in Red and Blue it lives on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23, and Yellow keeps it on Routes 3, 4, 9, 16, 18 and 22. All four games share one seven-move level-up list, and a Spearow stubborn enough to put off evolving can drill in with Drill Peck at level 29. A move's category follows its type in the first three generations, so all of Spearow's Normal- and Flying-type attacks, from Fury Attack to TM43 Sky Attack, are physical. Three moves can be carried back from Gold, Silver and Crystal through the Time Capsule: Quick Attack and Tri Attack learned by breeding, and SonicBoom from the New York City Pokémon Center event Spearow.
By level-up
| RGBY | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 9 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 15 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 22 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 29 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | |
| 36 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM02 | Razor Wind | Normal | Physical | 80 | 75 | 10 |
| TM04 | Whirlwind | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM09 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM10 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM20 | Rage | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| TM31 | Mimic | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Bide | Normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM43 | Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM50 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM02 | Fly | Physical | 70 | 95 | 15 |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Quick Attack | Gen II (breeding) |
| SonicBoom | Gen II (event: New York City Pokémon Center) |
| Tri Attack | Gen II (breeding) |
Generation II · Gold, Silver & Crystal8 level-up · 20 TM/HM · 5 egg · 1 event
Spearow is easy to find in Gold, Silver and Crystal: on Kanto's Routes 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 22, on Johto's Routes 33, 42 and 46 (only in the morning and during the day in Crystal), in Headbutt trees, and one is even handed over on Route 35. Pursuit joins the level-up list at 25, while Drill Peck moves to 37 and Agility to 43. Breeding brings five egg moves: Faint Attack from Murkrow, False Swipe from Farfetch'd, Quick Attack from the Pidgey family, Scary Face from Aerodactyl and Tri Attack from Doduo or Dodrio. New TMs include Steel Wing, Detect, Mud-Slap and the mysterious ???-type Curse, and categories still follow type, so Pursuit, Faint Attack and Thief are special. A Spearow from the New York City Pokémon Center event knew SonicBoom, and nine old Red and Blue TM moves, Sky Attack and Razor Wind among them, can be brought over through the Time Capsule. There are no tutor moves for Spearow.
By level-up
| GSC | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 13 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 25 | Pursuit | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| 31 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 37 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | |
| 43 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM03 | Curse | ??? | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM13 | Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM20 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM31 | Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM35 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM39 | Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM43 | Detect | Fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM47 | Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 |
| HM02 | Fly | Physical | 70 | 95 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faint Attack | Dark | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Murkrow |
| False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 | Farfetch'd |
| Quick Attack | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot |
| Scary Face | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 10 | Aerodactyl |
| Tri Attack | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | Doduo, Dodrio |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| SonicBoom | New York City Pokémon Center |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Razor Wind | Gen I (TM) |
| Sky Attack | Gen I (TM) |
| Substitute | Gen I (TM) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
| Whirlwind | Gen I (TM) |
Generation III · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed & LeafGreen (plus Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness)9 level-up · 16 TM/HM · 7 egg · 10 tutor · 1 event
Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald have no wild Spearow, so FireRed and LeafGreen are its handheld home in this generation: Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23, plus Kindle Road, Treasure Beach, Mt. Ember, Cape Brink, Ruin Valley, Water Path and Canyon Entrance in the Sevii Islands. Pokémon XD has a level-22 Shadow Spearow to snag at Phenac Stadium, and once purified it knows Baton Pass, a move no other Spearow can learn. One level-up list covers all five handheld games: Pursuit moves to level 19 and the never-miss Aerial Ace joins at 25. Egg moves grow to seven with Astonish and Sky Attack, and the tutors of FireRed and LeafGreen, Emerald and XD teach ten moves between them, with Sky Attack coming only from XD's tutor. Categories still follow type, so Pursuit, Faint Attack and Thief are special.
By level-up
| RSE/FRLG | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 13 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 19 | Pursuit | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| 25 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| 31 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 37 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | |
| 43 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM47 | Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 |
| HM02 | Fly | Physical | 70 | 95 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astonish | Ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 | Zubat, Golbat, Crobat, Murkrow, Swablu, Altaria |
| Faint Attack | Dark | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Murkrow |
| False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 | Farfetch'd |
| Quick Attack | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Taillow, Swellow, Wingull |
| Scary Face | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 10 | Aerodactyl |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | Altaria | |
| Tri Attack | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | Doduo, Dodrio |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Mimic | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 | Emerald |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | XD | |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
| Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | Emerald, XD |
| Swift | Normal | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | Emerald |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Baton Pass | Shadow Spearow in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness |
Generation IV · Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver11 level-up · 26 TM/HM · 10 egg · 8 tutor
Diamond and Pearl keep Spearow on Routes 225 and 226 and Platinum on Route 225, while HeartGold and SoulSilver bring it back to Kanto and Johto routes, Headbutt trees and the Wetland area of the Johto Safari Zone, with another one handed over on Route 35. It also turns up in Pal Park's Field area and on the Pokéwalker's Noisy Forest course. The level-up list is reshuffled so most moves come sooner: Assurance (29) and Roost (33) join, and Drill Peck becomes the level-37 finale. Each move now has its own physical or special category, so Pursuit and Assurance are physical. Roost, Pluck and U-turn join the TMs, Fly now hits for 90, and HM05 Defog works only in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. FeatherDance is an egg move in HeartGold and SoulSilver only, and the tutors of Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver teach eight moves, with Tailwind only in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Baton Pass (from XD) and the Generation III tutor moves Double-Edge and Mimic can only come from earlier games.
By level-up
| DPPt/HGSS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 5 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 9 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 13 | Pursuit | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| 17 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| 21 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 25 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 29 | Assurance | Dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| 37 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | ||
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM47 | Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 | |
| TM51 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | ||
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM78 | Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM83 | Natural Gift | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM88 | Pluck | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | ||
| TM89 | U-turn | Bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| HM02 | Fly | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 | ||
| HM05 | Defog | Status | — | — | 15 | DPPt |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astonish | Ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 | Zubat, Golbat, Crobat, Murkrow, Honchkrow, Swablu, Altaria |
| Faint Attack | Dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | Murkrow, Honchkrow |
| False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 | Farfetch'd |
| FeatherDance | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Chatot | |
| Quick Attack | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Doduo, Dodrio, Taillow, Swellow, Wingull, Pelipper, Starly and 2 more |
| Scary Face | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 10 | Aerodactyl |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | Noctowl, Altaria, Togekiss | |
| Tri Attack | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Dodrio |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 10 | Doduo, Dodrio, Chatot |
| Whirlwind | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Starly, Staravia, Staraptor |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Cutter | Special | 55 | 95 | 25 | Pt, HGSS | |
| Heat Wave | Fire | Special | 100 | 90 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Ominous Wind | Ghost | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 | Pt, HGSS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Swift | Normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Tailwind | Status | — | — | 30 | HGSS | |
| Twister | Dragon | Special | 40 | 100 | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Baton Pass | Gen III (Shadow Spearow in Pokémon XD) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
Generation V · Black, White, Black 2 & White 211 level-up · 22 TM/HM · 11 egg · 8 tutor · 2 event
Unova has no wild Spearow: in Black, White, Black 2 and White 2 it has to be hatched from an Egg with a Fearow as parent, and a Spearow from the Dream World's Windswept Sky could arrive knowing Faint Attack or Steel Wing. The level-up list is unchanged. Steel Wing and Secret Power are no longer TMs, with Steel Wing turning into an egg move from Skarmory instead, while Round, Echoed Voice, False Swipe and Work Up join the TM list. Razor Wind arrives as an egg move from the Pidove family and Uproar now hits for 90. Black and White have no tutor moves for Spearow; the tutors of Black 2 and White 2 teach eight, including Drill Run, Heat Wave and Tailwind. Thirteen moves, Defog and Twister among them, can only come from earlier games.
By level-up
| BW/B2W2 | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 5 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 9 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 13 | Pursuit | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| 17 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| 21 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 25 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 29 | Assurance | Dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| 37 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM54 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| TM83 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM88 | Pluck | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM89 | U-turn | Bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM02 | Fly | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astonish | Ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 | Zubat, Golbat, Crobat, Murkrow, Honchkrow, Swablu, Altaria |
| Faint Attack | Dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | Murkrow |
| FeatherDance | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Chatot, Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Ducklett, Swanna | |
| Quick Attack | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Doduo, Dodrio, Taillow, Swellow, Wingull, Starly, Staravia and 6 more |
| Razor Wind | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant |
| Scary Face | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 | Aerodactyl, Archen, Archeops, Rufflet, Braviary |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | Noctowl, Altaria, Togekiss, Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Sigilyph | |
| Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 | Skarmory |
| Tri Attack | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Dodrio |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | Doduo, Dodrio, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Chatot |
| Whirlwind | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Starly, Staravia, Staraptor, Sigilyph, Rufflet, Braviary |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Heat Wave | Fire | Special | 100 | 90 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | B2W2 | |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | B2W2 | |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | B2W2 |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Tailwind | Status | — | — | 30 | B2W2 | |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Faint Attack | Dream World: Windswept Sky |
| Steel Wing | Dream World: Windswept Sky |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Air Cutter | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Baton Pass | Gen III (Shadow Spearow in Pokémon XD) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Defog | Gen IV (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Endure | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Ominous Wind | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Swift | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Twister | Gen IV (tutor) |
Generation VI · X, Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire11 level-up · 25 TM/HM · 11 egg · 6 tutor
X and Y offer Spearow in Flying-type Friend Safaris, while Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have no wild Spearow. The level-up list stays the same, but Assurance rises to 60 power. Roost (TM19) and Steel Wing (TM51) are TMs again, Sleep Talk and Confide join them, Pluck and Work Up are no longer TMs, and TM94 Secret Power works only in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Old move names get their modern spellings, so FeatherDance becomes Feather Dance and Faint Attack becomes Feint Attack, and the Fletchling family and Noibat join the list of egg-move parents. Only Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have tutor moves for Spearow: six of them, from Drill Run to Tailwind.
By level-up
| XY/ORAS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 5 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 9 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 13 | Pursuit | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| 17 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| 21 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 25 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 29 | Assurance | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| 37 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM19 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | ||
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | ||
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM51 | Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 | |
| TM54 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM89 | U-turn | Bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM94 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| HM02 | Fly | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astonish | Ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 | Zubat, Golbat, Crobat, Murkrow, Honchkrow, Swablu, Altaria |
| Feather Dance | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Chatot, Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Ducklett, Swanna | |
| Feint Attack | Dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | Murkrow |
| Quick Attack | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Doduo, Dodrio, Taillow, Swellow, Wingull, Starly, Staravia and 9 more |
| Razor Wind | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame, Noibat, Noivern |
| Scary Face | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 | Aerodactyl, Archen, Archeops, Rufflet, Braviary |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | Noctowl, Altaria, Togekiss, Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Sigilyph | |
| Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 | Skarmory, Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame |
| Tri Attack | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Dodrio |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | Doduo, Dodrio, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Chatot |
| Whirlwind | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Starly, Staravia, Staraptor, Sigilyph, Rufflet, Braviary, Noibat and 1 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | ORAS |
| Heat Wave | Fire | Special | 95 | 90 | 10 | ORAS |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | ORAS | |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Tailwind | Status | — | — | 15 | ORAS | |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Air Cutter | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Baton Pass | Gen III (Shadow Spearow in Pokémon XD) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Defog | Gen IV (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Endure | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Ominous Wind | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Pluck | Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM) |
| Swift | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Twister | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Work Up | Gen V (TM) |
Generation VII · Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon12 level-up · 25 TM/HM · 11 egg · 7 tutor
Spearow lives on Routes 2 and 3 in all four Alola games, and in Sun and Moon it can also turn up on Poké Pelago. The level-up list grows to 12 moves: Pursuit now comes at level 8, Focus Energy joins at 29 and Drill Peck tops out at 36. With HMs gone, Fly becomes TM76, and Work Up returns as TM01. Rowlet, Pikipek and Oricorio join the Pokémon that can pass down Feather Dance. Sun and Moon have no tutor moves for Spearow; the tutors of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon teach seven, Defog now among them. Eighteen moves, from Bide and Rage to Secret Power, can only be brought in from earlier games.
By level-up
| SM/USUM | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 4 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 8 | Pursuit | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| 11 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 15 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| 18 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 22 | Assurance | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| 25 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 29 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 32 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| 36 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM19 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM51 | Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 |
| TM54 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| TM76 | Fly | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM89 | U-turn | Bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astonish | Ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 | Zubat, Golbat, Crobat, Murkrow, Honchkrow, Swablu, Altaria, Rowlet, Dartrix, Decidueye |
| Feather Dance | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Chatot, Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Ducklett, Swanna, Rowlet and 6 more | |
| Feint Attack | Dark | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | Murkrow |
| Quick Attack | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Doduo, Dodrio, Taillow, Swellow, Wingull, Starly, Staravia and 9 more |
| Razor Wind | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame, Noibat, Noivern |
| Scary Face | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 | Aerodactyl, Archen, Archeops, Rufflet, Braviary |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | Noctowl, Altaria, Togekiss, Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant, Sigilyph | |
| Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 | Skarmory, Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame |
| Tri Attack | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Dodrio |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | Doduo, Dodrio, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Chatot |
| Whirlwind | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Starly, Staravia, Staraptor, Sigilyph, Rufflet, Braviary, Noibat and 1 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defog | Status | — | — | 15 | USUM | |
| Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | USUM |
| Heat Wave | Fire | Special | 95 | 90 | 10 | USUM |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | USUM | |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Tailwind | Status | — | — | 15 | USUM | |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Air Cutter | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Baton Pass | Gen III (Shadow Spearow in Pokémon XD) |
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Curse | Gen II (TM) |
| Detect | Gen II (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Endure | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Ominous Wind | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Pluck | Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Swift | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
| Twister | Gen IV (tutor) |
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! · Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!9 level-up · 11 TM/HM
Back on home turf, Spearow is wild on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 22 and 23. Let's Go trims its list to nine moves and leaves out Pursuit, Aerial Ace and Assurance, with Focus Energy at level 11, Roost at 24 and Drill Peck as the level-32 finale. Its eleven TMs include Tri Attack (TM28), which Spearow could previously only get by breeding, and Drill Run (TM58). There is no breeding in these games, and Spearow has no tutor moves.
By level-up
| LGPE | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 3 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 8 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 11 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 16 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 19 | Mirror Move | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| 24 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| 27 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 32 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM05 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM07 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM08 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM12 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM14 | Fly | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 | |
| TM18 | U-turn | Bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM28 | Tri Attack | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM50 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM58 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
Generation VIII · Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl12 level-up · 21 TM/HM · 8 egg
Spearow is not in Sword and Shield or Legends: Arceus, so its only Generation VIII home is Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, on Routes 225 and 226. Pursuit and Mirror Move are gone: Assurance moves up to level 8, and Wing Attack (18) and Take Down (22) join the list, the first time Wing Attack has ever appeared in Spearow's learnset. The old HMs are TMs now, so Fly is TM94 and Defog TM97, and Pluck is a TM again. Feint Attack, Razor Wind and Steel Wing are no longer egg moves, which leaves eight, and there are no tutor moves.
By level-up
| BDSP | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 4 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 8 | Assurance | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| 11 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 15 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| 18 | Wing Attack | Physical | 60 | 100 | 35 | |
| 22 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 25 | Agility | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 29 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 32 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| 36 | Drill Peck | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM10 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Physical | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM47 | Steel Wing | Steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 |
| TM51 | Roost | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM54 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| TM88 | Pluck | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM89 | U-turn | Bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM94 | Fly | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 | |
| TM97 | Defog | Status | — | — | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astonish | Ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 | Zubat, Golbat, Crobat, Murkrow, Honchkrow |
| Feather Dance | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Chatot | |
| Quick Attack | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Doduo, Dodrio, Taillow, Swellow, Wingull, Pelipper, Starly and 2 more |
| Scary Face | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 | Aerodactyl |
| Sky Attack | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 | Noctowl, Altaria, Togekiss | |
| Tri Attack | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | Dodrio, Togekiss |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | Doduo, Dodrio, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Chatot |
| Whirlwind | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Starly, Staravia, Staraptor |
Generation IX · Scarlet & Violet
Spearow cannot be obtained in Scarlet and Violet or in Legends: Z-A, so it has no Generation IX learnset.
04On screen
Spearow in the anime
Debut EP001Pokémon – I Choose You! · Its appearances on screen, and 2 other trainers who raised one.
Few Pokémon changed Ash's life the way Spearow did. A rock thrown at the wrong bird in the very first episode unleashed a furious flock, and the storm-soaked chase that followed is the moment Ash and Pikachu became partners. The ringleader held a grudge: it came back as a Fearow to bully the Pidgey of Viridian Forest, pushing Ash's Pidgeotto to evolve, and the chase has been retold ever since, in flashbacks, in a trip down memory lane in Xatu's Forest and with a thousand-strong flock in Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
Spearow has been a bad-tempered regular ever since, mobbing a stranded Charmander, pecking Team Rocket, ambushing Pikachu and Mimey on the road to Pallet Town and, in one of Ash's last adventures, sending him running from a flock all over again. Ash never caught one, but Goh added a Spearow to his collection on the way to the Vermilion Gym, Red took one to the Pewter Gym in Pokémon Origins, and in Horizons, Roy's Fuecoco tested its training on a wild one.
Other trainers’ Spearow
First seen: JN018Destination: Coronation!
Goh's Spearow was a detour on the way to the Vermilion Gym. When one flew past, Goh and Raboot peeled off to chase it while Ash carried on alone, and by the time Goh reached the Gym he had a new Spearow to show off (JN018). The capture itself happened off-screen, and so far it has never battled. Instead it joined the rest of Goh's fast-growing collection, and it keeps turning up among his Pokémon right to the end of Journeys, still a Spearow.
First seen: PO01File 1: Red
Red's Spearow was one of his first catches, picked up on Route 1 shortly after a Rattata (PO01). Its time in the spotlight didn't last. Sent out third against Brock at the Pewter Gym, after Charmander and Nidoran♂, it was knocked out almost at once by Onix. Red still came away with the Boulder Badge when a final head-to-head between Charmander and Onix went his way, but the Spearow is not seen again.
- PO01File 1: Red · vs Onix Lost
Ash & Spearow
Ash has never caught a Spearow, but no species did more to start his journey. On his very first day he hit one with a rock while trying to catch a Pidgey, and the furious flock chased him and Pikachu into the storm that made them partners (EP001). He threw another rock at a gang of them to rescue Charmander (EP011), and when that first Spearow came back as a Fearow, he tried to catch it from Pidgeot's back, only for it to swat his Poké Ball away (EP081).
Featured episodes
- EP001Pokémon – I Choose You!A rock meant for a Pidgey hits a Spearow, and the whole flock comes after Ash and Pikachu through a river and a thunderstorm. When Ash shields Pikachu, Pikachu leaps up and scatters them with a lightning-charged Thunder Shock.
- EP011Charmander – The Stray PokémonStill waiting in the pouring rain on the rock where its Trainer left it, Charmander is mobbed by a gang of Spearow. Ash throws a rock to draw them off, and this time it works: Pikachu's Thunder Shock sends them packing.
- EP081Pallet Party PanicThe flock is back in Viridian Forest, led by a Fearow that Ash realises is the Spearow he hit with a rock. It snatches Ash and Pikachu and bullies the local Pidgey until Ash's Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot and, with the whole Pidgey flock behind it, drives Fearow away. Ash leaves Pidgeot behind to guard them.
- EP084The Lost LaprasThree punks bullying a young Lapras set their Spearow, Hitmonchan and Beedrill on Pikachu. Newcomer Tracey pauses the fight to declare the Spearow vitamin-deficient, and then Pikachu's Thunder Shock sends all three running.
- EP131Fighting Flyer with FireTeam Rocket end the episode trapped in their own deflated balloon while an angry horde of Spearow and Fearow pecks at them, almost exactly how Pallet Party Panic ended. Ash also remembers the Fearow his Pidgeot fought in Viridian Forest.
- EP211Fly Me to the MoonOrville, Wilbur's pudgy Pidgey, is training to fly to the moon, and on one steep climb he blunders straight past a flock of Spearow, which give furious chase.
- DP064Riding the Winds of Change!When a swarm of Gligar takes over a city, Ash's plan is a home-made wind tunnel: the Pokémon at the Pokémon Center, a Spearow among them, use Gust to blow the Gligar back to their forest. Spearow can't learn Gust in the games.
- DP140Historical Mystery Tour!In Xatu's Forest, Ash relives the day a Spearow flock chased him. He treads on a Spearow feather, its owner comes after him, and an oversized Pikachu carries him through the rain before Iron Tail and Thunderbolt drive the flock off.
- M20Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!The famous chase is remade for the big screen with a much bigger flock. This time the Spearow thinks a laughing Pikachu threw the rock, Ash runs on foot with no bike and no Misty, and after Pikachu's Thunderbolt clears the sky, Ho-Oh drops a Rainbow Wing.
- JN030Betrayed, Bothered, and Beleaguered!On the road to Pallet Town, a Spearow steals Pikachu's Lum Berry. When Mimey takes it back with Psychic, the whole flock attacks, and Pikachu drives them off with a Thunderbolt while remembering his first day with Ash.
- JN135Heroes Unite!A Poliwag knocks a Pecha Berry onto a Spearow, and soon a whole flock is chasing Ash, Goh and Chloe through the forest, just like old times. Chloe's Eevee ends the chase by copying a Slowpoke's Yawn and sending every Spearow to sleep.
- HZ008The Door That Never OpensRoy and Fuecoco take on a wild Spearow, dodge its Peck with the timing they practised in the previous episode, and win with Ember.
More appearances
- EP092The Joy of Pokémon Nurse Joy treats a Trainer's Spearow on an unnamed island.
- EP157The Fortune Hunters A Trainer's Spearow is stolen by Butch and Cassidy.
- AG191Once More With Reeling! A Coordinator's Spearow takes part in the Terracotta Contest.
- BW116The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion! As Charizard returns, a flashback replays the Spearow attack on the abandoned Charmander from its first episode.
- SM090Securing the Future! Two Trainers' Spearow join the whole of Alola in showering Necrozma with light.
- SM129Battle Royal 151! A Trainer's Spearow is knocked out of the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference.
- JN033Trade, Borrow, and Steal! A Trainer swaps her Spearow, nicknamed Speary, for a Gentleman's Farfetch'd called Dux.
Beyond the main series
Anime gallery
Anime trivia
- Ash's Pokédex opened its first Spearow entry by comparing it with Pidgey: "Unlike Pidgey, Spearow has a terrible attitude." Fitting, since Ash had just mistaken one for a Pidgey (EP001).
- The first episode reveals that Spearow see the world in black and white.
- In the Japanese version, the Spearow that started it all, later the Fearow of Pallet Party Panic, was voiced by Unshō Ishizuka, the long-time voice of Professor Oak and the narrator.
- The show's very first opening has Ash sending out a Pidgeot against a Fearow, a match-up the series finally delivered in Pallet Party Panic (EP081).
- In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, things went differently: Ash caught the flock's Fearow, and it became one of his most-used Pokémon.
- For Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, director Kunihiko Yuyama increased the Spearow flock twenty-fold, from fifty birds to a thousand.
- Speary the Spearow and Dux the Farfetch'd, traded in Trade, Borrow, and Steal! (JN033), are a nod to Pokémon Red and Blue, where Speary is a Spearow in a Viridian City house and Dux is the Farfetch'd you get for a Spearow in Vermilion City.
- Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar in The Door That Never Opens (HZ008) asked what Spearow fight to protect: justice, territory or pride. The answer is territory.
“Unlike Pidgey, Spearow has a terrible attitude. It is very wild and will sometimes attack other Pokémon and humans.”
Ash's Pokédex (Dexter) · EP001
05On the big screen
Spearow in the movies
6 films featuring Spearow.
Spearow's biggest screen moment came in the very first episode, and the films keep going back to it. The flock that chased Ash and Pikachu through the storm returns in the prologue of the first film's Japanese complete edition, in the shared intro of Celebi: Voice of the Forest and Pokémon Heroes, and in a flashback in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Then I Choose You! (2017) remakes the whole scene with a thousand Spearow instead of about fifty. Away from that famous chase, a flock of Spearow senses Lawrence III's meddling in The Power of One.
Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
M01 · 1998
A Trainer's Spearow; the first episode's wild flock (Japanese complete edition prologue only)
A Trainer's Spearow has a fleeting cameo in Pokémon's first trip to the cinema. Japan's later 'kanzenban' (complete edition) of the film goes further. Its VHS release adds a five-minute prologue that retells the start of Ash's journey with reanimated scenes from the very first episode, and a flock of Spearow is part of it.
Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One
M02 · 1999
Wild Spearow (multiple), with wild Fearow
When the collector Lawrence III starts snatching the legendary birds and the weather goes haywire, a number of Spearow are among the wild Pokémon that sense something is badly wrong. Several Fearow are in the crowd too, so the whole family turns out.
Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest
M04 · 2001
Wild Spearow (multiple; opening)
The English version of Celebi's film opens with 'Ash's Journey', a prologue that retells how Ash and Pikachu's adventure began, from the morning Ash is handed Pikachu, and a flock of Spearow is part of it. The English release of Pokémon Heroes uses exactly the same intro, so the flock got two entrances in a row.
Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias
M05 · 2002
Wild Spearow (multiple; opening)
Before Alto Mare's story begins, Pokémon Heroes replays how Ash met Pikachu in freshly drawn animation (narrated by Brock in English), and the Spearow flock is back to chase the pair through the storm. Sharp-eyed fans spotted a slip: here the storm has already rolled in while Ash is still running on foot, though in the original episode it only breaks after he grabs Misty's bike.
Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
M08 · 2005
Wild Spearow (multiple; flashback)
Lucario's film is all about the bond between a Pokémon and its partner, and at one point Ash tells everyone how he and Pikachu became best friends. The flashback goes right back to the beginning: Ash shielding Pikachu from a flock of Spearow in the lightning storm.
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
M20 · 2017
A wild Spearow and its enormous flock
The 2017 retelling of Ash's first day keeps Spearow's most famous scene and turns it up to eleven. Ash aims a rock at a Pidgey and hits a Spearow instead, but this time the bird spots Pikachu laughing and blames it. Pikachu zaps it with Thunderbolt, and it flies off into a tree packed with Spearow. The flock grows from about fifty in the original episode to a thousand, and with no bike to grab, Ash flees on foot until Pikachu's colossal Thunderbolt scatters them all.
06Trading Card Game · every card
Spearow in the Pokémon TCG
26 cards since 1999, oldest first. Tap any card to see it full size.
Spearow has been pecking its way out of booster packs since Jungle, where Mitsuhiro Arita's scrappy little bird landed in Japan in March 1997 and in English in June 1999. That first card set the tone: a Colorless Basic with a cheap Peck and a cheeky Mirror Move that flung an opponent's own attack straight back at them. Gym Heroes then gave Lt. Surge a pair of his own, including a 30 HP Uncommon, and from there Spearow has nested in almost every era: Expedition, three EX sets, Majestic Dawn, Unleashed, Phantom Forces, Roaring Skies, Sun & Moon, Unbroken Bonds, Battle Styles, 151 and Mega Evolution. It has never had an ex, V or any other rule-box card, yet the designers keep finding tricks for it. Super Speed dodges a whole attack, Roost patches it up, Peck Bugs punishes Grass types, Pluck snatches away Tools and 151's Evolutionary Advantage lets it turn into Fearow on your very first turn.
The art has travelled a long way from those early portraits. Ken Sugimori drew it four times, from Lt. Surge's Uncommon to Majestic Dawn and two e-Reader demo cards made for Nintendo Space World 2001, and Kagemaru Himeno drew both a Japanese vending-machine Spearow and the Unleashed card. Later artists dropped it into real places from the games: Mizue's Phantom Forces card is set in Aquacorde Town, and Masakazu Fukuda's Roaring Skies Spearow is up on the top floor of Mauville City. The big moment came in 2025, when MINAMINAMI Take's Illustration Rare in Mega Evolution gave Spearow its first full-art showpiece. TCG Pocket keeps the flock going, with Shiburingaru's Route 16 scene overlooking Celadon City and tetsuya koizumi's Unbroken Bonds picture flying back in for Wisdom of Sea and Sky.
Cards to know
- Jungle 62/64 — Spearow's debut, and a cheeky one: Mitsuhiro Arita's bird could use Mirror Move to throw your opponent's own attack straight back at them.
- Gym Heroes 52/132 (Lt. Surge's Spearow) — A 30 HP fledgling with a 20-damage Drill Peck for one Energy, and the only Spearow ever printed as an Uncommon.
- EX Sandstorm 81/100 — A rare case of Spearow beating Japan to it: English players had this coin-flip dodger two months before it came out in Japan's Gift Box.
- 151 021/165 — The first Spearow with an Ability, Evolutionary Advantage, which lets it become Fearow on your very first turn if you go second.
- Mega Evolution 151/132 — MINAMINAMI Take's Illustration Rare finally gave Spearow a full-art showpiece, nearly three decades after its card debut.
- Genetic Apex 191/226 (TCG Pocket) — Shiburingaru parks Spearow on Route 16 with Celadon City in the background, part of the Touring the Kanto Region collection.
Every English-language card
Promo cards
Japan-exclusive cards
Pokémon TCG Pocket
Digital card games
- Pokémon Trading Card Game (Game Boy Color): the Jungle Spearow (Mitsuhiro Arita), card D37, found in the Laboratory booster pack.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): the Jungle Spearow again, card F46, in the Sky Flying Pokémon pack.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Kagemaru Himeno's vending-machine Spearow, card D41, in the Psychic Battle pack; the computer opponent's Rage of the Heavens Deck runs two of them plus a Jungle Spearow.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Shin-ichi Yoshida's Intro Pack Spearow, card B44, in the Legendary Power pack.
- Pokémon Trading Card Game Online: the Roaring Skies Spearow was the bird of choice in the online-only Crushing Current theme deck and the Tutorial Mode Deck (both September 2016).
The artists behind the cards
- Ken Sugimori — 4 artworks (Lt. Surge's Spearow Gym Heroes 52, Majestic Dawn 74 and both Japanese e-Reader Sample Set cards)
- Kagemaru Himeno — 2 artworks (the Japanese Expansion Sheet 2 vending card and Unleashed 62)
- tetsuya koizumi — 1 artwork on 2 cards (Unbroken Bonds 145, reused in TCG Pocket's Wisdom of Sea and Sky 129)
- Mitsuhiro Arita — 1 artwork on 3 paper cards (Jungle 62, reprinted in Base Set 2 and Legendary Collection) and in both Game Boy TCG games
- One artwork each: Atsuko Nishida, Shin-ichi Yoshida, Kyoko Umemoto, Aya Kusube, Hisao Nakamura, Midori Harada, Mizue, Masakazu Fukuda, Yukiko Baba, Sekio, Gemi, Scav and MINAMINAMI Take
- Shiburingaru drew a brand-new Spearow for TCG Pocket's Genetic Apex
07On the page & beyond
Spearow in manga, books & other media
From the earliest manga to story books and songs.
In print, Spearow's finest hour belongs to Professor Oak. In Pokémon Adventures the professor enters the Pokémon League in disguise as Dr. O and sets his Spearow on Green, playing on her fear of birds and bouncing her Blastoise's Hydro Pump straight back with Mirror Move. Later the same bird tests Yellow and is outfoxed by a dizzying Doduo. The Electric Tale of Pikachu replays the first episode's flock attack, then gives Ash their leader, a Fearow, as his very first catch. On the bookshelf Spearow opens Scholastic's very first chapter book by being mistaken for a Pidgey, and plays aerial scout in Save Our Squirtle!. In music it's in the Pokérap, Japan's Pokémon Ieru Kana? and the Journeys shiritori ending, and its first-episode chase is part of the montage in the English dub's farewell song from Pikachu's Goodbye.
Manga
Books
Other media
More from the page
08Did you know?
Spearow trivia
Name origins, design secrets and the facts that make Spearow such a fan favourite.
What’s in a name?
Spearow's English name is as sharp as its beak: spear plus sparrow, a two-syllable pun that sums up the whole bird. In Japanese it is Onisuzume (オニスズメ), from oni, the horned ogres of Japanese folklore, and suzume, sparrow – a 'demon sparrow', which fits its temper perfectly. Other languages pick their own angle: French Piafabec joins piaf (slang for a little bird) to bec (beak), German Habitak blends Habicht (hawk) with Attacke, Korean Kkaebicham pairs the mischievous goblin dokkaebi with chamsae (sparrow), and the Chinese name 烈雀 means a fierce sparrow.
Design origins
Spearow is a sparrow with a mean streak. Its compact body, brown plumage and stubby wings come from the Old World sparrows of fields and farmyards, but its short, hooked beak belongs to a far fiercer bird: the shrike. Shrikes are fiercely territorial songbirds nicknamed 'butcher birds' for their gruesome way with prey, which may explain where Spearow gets its temper. The design goes right back to the very beginning – an early Spearow appears in the original Capsule Monsters pitch that Game Freak showed Nintendo, years before Red and Green came out – and, like the rest of the first 151, its finished official artwork was drawn by Ken Sugimori.
Names around the world
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | オニスズメ Onisuzume | From 鬼 oni (ogre, demon) and 雀 suzume (sparrow) |
| French | Piafabec | From piaf (slang for a little bird) and bec (beak) |
| Spanish | Spearow | Same as the English name |
| German | Habitak | From Habicht (hawk) and Attacke (attack), possibly also Habitat |
| Italian | Spearow | Same as the English name |
| Korean | 깨비참 Kkaebicham | From 도깨비 dokkaebi (Korean goblin or ogre) and 참새 chamsae (sparrow) |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 烈雀 Lièquè | From 猛烈 měngliè (fierce) and 麻雀 máquè (sparrow) |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 烈雀 Lihtjeuk | From 猛烈 máahngliht (fierce) and 麻雀 màhjeuk (sparrow) |
| Chinese (Cantonese, older media) | 鬼雀 Gwáijeuk | From 鬼 gwái (demon) and 麻雀 màhjeuk (sparrow) |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Spearow | Same as the English name |
| Hebrew | ספירו Spearo | Transliteration of the English name |
| Hindi | स्पीयरो Spearow | Transliteration of the English name |
| Lithuanian | Žeberklas | A translation of the English name |
| Russian | Спироу Spirou | Transliteration of the English name |
| Thai | โอนิสึซึเมะ Onisuesueme | Transliteration of the Japanese name |
Did you know?
- Spearow shares the Tiny Bird Pokémon category with Pidgey, Natu and Rookidee – though Natu has also been called the Little Bird Pokémon.
- Its base Defense of 30 is tied for the lowest of any Flying-type, alongside Hoothoot, Ledyba, Taillow, Wingull, Starly and Pikipek.
- A house in Viridian City is home to a pet Spearow nicknamed Speary (Oni-chan in Japanese). The English translator originally wanted to call it 'Britney', after Britney Spears, but Nintendo of America turned the idea down.
- In the very first anime episode, a shot through a Spearow's eyes shows the world entirely in black and white.
- Ash's Pokédex was not impressed when it met Spearow in the first episode: 'Unlike Pidgey, Spearow has a terrible attitude. It is very wild and will sometimes attack other Pokémon and humans.'
- The Spearow hit by Ash's rock held a grudge: in Pallet Party Panic! it returns as a Fearow, leading its flock against the Pidgey and Pidgeotto – and Ash's Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot to drive it away.
- In Gold, Silver and Crystal, the gatehouse guard on Route 35 lends you his Spearow Kenya, carrying Flower Mail that reads 'Dark Cave leads to another road'. Deliver it to his friend on Route 31 and you earn TM50 (Nightmare), plus an HP Up from the guard.
- Kenya returns in HeartGold and SoulSilver, where its owner is named Webster; this time the friend on Route 31 rewards you with TM44 (Rest). Because Kenya has another Trainer's ID, it earns boosted experience like a traded Pokémon.
- In the manga The Electric Tale of Pikachu, a Spearow flock chases Pikachu just as in the anime – but this time Ash ends the day by catching a Fearow, his very first capture.
- In Pokémon Origins, Red catches a Spearow and sends it out against Brock at the Pewter Gym, where Onix makes very short work of it.
- In Pokémon Yellow, your rival Blue brings a Spearow to three of his battles against you.
- An early version of Spearow appears in the Capsule Monsters pitch to Nintendo, recognised from its index number on a Red and Green sprite sheet.
- From 30 August to 26 September 2002, the Pokémon Center in New York handed out Spearow that knew SonicBoom for Gold, Silver and Crystal.
- Spearow's Jungle card and its FireRed Pokédex entry both make a point of Mirror Move – the move that lets this frail-looking bird hit back hard.
- In Pokémon Journeys, Goh chases a wild Spearow in Destination: Coronation! and catches it off-screen.
- Shiny Spearow didn't arrive in Pokémon GO until Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto on 20 February 2021 – nearly five years after the game launched.
- In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, a Spearow brother and sister act as guardians of the Meadow Zone.
09Quizzes, archive & further reading
More Spearow
Test yourself
Professor Oak's Kanto Quiz: BeginnerProfessor Oak has a few questions before you set foot in the tall grass. How well do you know the region where it all began?Take the quiz →
Who's That Pokémon? Kanto: BeginnerIt's the classic challenge! Can you name these original 151 Pokémon from their silhouettes alone?Take the quiz →
Indigo League Anime: IntermediateGrab your cap and set off on Ash's very first adventure. How much do you remember from the Indigo League days?Take the quiz →
Pokémon Horizons Anime: BeginnerAll aboard for a brand-new adventure! See how well you know Liko, Roy and the crew of Pokémon Horizons: The Series.Take the quiz →
Mewtwo Strikes Back: BeginnerThe film that brought Pokémon to cinemas everywhere! How well do you remember Pokémon: The First Movie?Take the quiz →
Pokémon TCG: IntermediateShuffle up and draw! From the very first booster packs to the digital age, how well do you know the Pokémon Trading Card Game?Take the quiz →From the archive: Gengar’s Online Pokédex
Before this page, Pokémon Dungeon was home to Gengar’s Online Pokédex, the classic fan Pokédex for Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver & Crystal by Curtis Alumbaugh (Gengar) with Ian Alumbaugh (Haunter). Its Spearow entry is preserved in full, with its original art, moves and locations.
Further reading
Pokémon and all related names, artwork, sprites, screenshots and card images are © Nintendo, Creatures Inc., GAME FREAK inc. and The Pokémon Company, used here for fan commentary. Images via the Bulbagarden Archives. Page updated 24 October 2026.