Swellow (Pokmon) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokmon encyclopedia

Publish date: 2024-06-21

Swellow (Japanese: オオスバメ Ohsubame) is a dual-type Normal/Flying Pokémon introduced in Generation III.

It evolves from Taillow starting at level 22.

Biology

Swellow is a large, dark-blue avian Pokémon with a red breast and face. A crest of feathers sweeps back from the top of its head. A blue stripe separates the red markings on its head and chest, and it has a white underside. It has small, narrow eyes, a pointed, yellow beak, and red feet with black talons. Each foot has three forward-facing toes and one pointed backward. Two long, pointed feathers with red tips form its tail and are an indication of good health when standing up straight. Swellow's wings taper to a sharp point. An impressive dive-bomber, it will never miss its target. Additionally, it takes great pride in its glossy plumage and often cleans the wings of other Swellow. It searches for warm meadows while in the air. Swellow preys on Wurmple.

Evolution

Swellow evolves from Taillow.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation IIIHoenn
#026		Kanto
#—
RubySwellow flies high above our heads, making graceful arcs in the sky. This Pokémon dives at a steep angle as soon as it spots its prey. The hapless prey is tightly grasped by Swellow's clawed feet, preventing escape.
SapphireSwellow is very conscientious about the upkeep of its glossy wings. Once two Swellow are gathered, they diligently take care of cleaning each other's wings.
EmeraldA Swellow dives upon prey from far above. It never misses its targets. It takes to the skies in search of lands with a warm climate.
FireRedIf its two tail feathers are standing at attention, it is proof of good health. It soars elegantly in the sky.
LeafGreen
Generation IVSinnoh
#—		Johto
#—
DiamondIt circles the sky in search of prey. When it spots one, it dives steeply to catch the prey.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGoldIt dives at a steep angle as soon as it spots its prey. It catches its prey with sharp claws.
SoulSilver
Generation VUnova
#—
BlackIt circles the sky in search of prey. When it spots one, it dives steeply to catch the prey.
White
Black 2It circles the sky in search of prey. When it spots one, it dives steeply to catch the prey.
White 2
Generation VIKalos
Coastal #020		Hoenn
#026
XIf its two tail feathers are standing at attention, it is proof of good health. It soars elegantly in the sky.
YIt dives at a steep angle as soon as it spots its prey. It catches its prey with sharp claws.
Omega RubySwellow flies high above our heads, making graceful arcs in the sky. This Pokémon dives at a steep angle as soon as it spots its prey. The hapless prey is tightly grasped by Swellow's clawed feet, preventing escape.
Alpha SapphireSwellow is very conscientious about the upkeep of its glossy wings. Once two Swellow are gathered, they diligently take care of cleaning each other's wings.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Generation IX

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Cross-Generation

Held items

Stats

Base stats

Generations III-VI
Generation VII onward

Pokéathlon stats

Power
3/5★★★☆☆
Jump
5/5★★★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Learnset

Swellow is available in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

By leveling up

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Swellow
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Swellow
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Swellow
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Swellow
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Swellow in Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Swellow in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Swellow
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Swellow
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Swellow
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Swellow
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Swellow
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Swellow
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Ranger
Group:Poké Assist:Flying PA.png
Field move:Gust fm.pngGust fm.png
(Gust ×2)
Loops: 6Min. exp.: 42Max. exp.: 59
Browser entry R-037
Swellow darts quickly through the air while flapping its wings to create gusts.
Pokémon Rumble Rush
Rush277Body.pngWalking Speed: 1.17 secondsBase HP: 51
Base Attack: 77Base Defense: 49Base Speed: 80

Evolution data

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation

In the anime

Main series

Shiny Swellow in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Swellow

In That's Just Swellow, Ash's Taillow evolved into a Swellow during the final round of the Crossgate PokéRinger competition.

Other

Swellow debuted in Candid Camerupt!. Vito of the Winstrate family used it to secretly protect his family.

In Sky High Gym Battle!, Winona used a Shiny Swellow during her Gym battle against Ash. It faced off against Grovyle, which it was able to defeat, but it was later defeated by Ash's own Swellow.

In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Flying in the Air, a Swellow was among the immense Flying-type Pokémon summoned by Hoopa to create wind for Ash and Pikachu, but their combined Gust was too much for them and sent them blasting off.

Minor appearances

In Pursuing a Lofty Goal!, a Swellow competed in the Squallville PokéRinger. It was used against a Wingull.

In A Staravia Is Born!, Team Rocket captured multiple Swellow.

Multiple Swellow appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

In Butterfree and Me!, multiple Swellow were living at Wayfarer Island.

In Genesect and the Legend Awakened, Mewtwo raced a Swellow.

In A Relay in the Sky!, a Trainer's Swellow competed in the Pokémon Sky Relay.

In The Mew from Here!, two Swellow were seen on Faraway Island.

Pokédex entries

EpisodePokémonSourceEntry
AG080SwellowAsh's PokédexSwellow, the Swallow Pokémon. Swellow uses its impressive divebomber speed and its large talons to capture its prey.

Pokémon Generations

A soldier's Swellow appeared in The Redemption, during a fantasy of a story from the past. It was one of the many Pokémon fighting in the great war of Kalos 3,000 years previously.

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

Main article: Ash's Swellow

Ash owns a Swellow in Ash & Pikachu, similar to the anime.

Pokémon Adventures

The Three Fires of Team Magma each own a Swellow that they use for aerial transport:

Maxie has a Swellow that first appeared in Walrein and Camerupt.

The Battle Tower rented a Swellow, which was stolen by Guile Hideout in The Final Battle VII.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

A Swellow appeared in Battle Between Student and Master!.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

A Swellow appeared in a fantasy in Legend? Check! Friends? Check!.

Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission

In Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Two, Solana captured a Swellow with her Capture Styler. It reappeared in Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Three and Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Four. It was released in Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Five.

In the TCG

Main article: Swellow (TCG)

Trivia

Origin

Swellow seems to be based on a swallow, specifically the barn swallow or welcome swallow. Its colors and crest are also similar to those of a treeswift. Its predatory behavior and speedy flight may be based on falcons or the swallow-tailed kite. Its Shiny colors and long tail feathers resemble those of the resplendent quetzal, and said Shiny coloration may have been inspired by the violet-green swallow.

Name origin

Swellow may be a combination of swell (excellent, or to grow larger) and swallow.

Ohsubame may be a corruption of 大燕 ōtsubame (large swallow).

In other languages

Related articles

External links

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