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Bird Keeper (Trainer class)

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Bird Keeper
とりつかい Bird Tamer
Bird Keeper TCG.png
TCG artwork by Hideki Ishikawa[1]
Other names Birdboy (Stadium)
Introduced in Generation I
Appears in Red, Blue, and Yellow
Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Stadium, Stadium 2
Gender Both*
Counterpart {{{counterpart}}}
Notable members {{{members}}}
Animated debut
TCG debut [[(TCG)|]]
TCG card {{{card}}}
Manga debut Who Gives a Hoothoot? (Adventures)

A Bird Keeper (Japanese: とりつかい Bird Tamer) is a type of Pokémon Trainer that debuted in the Generation I games. They are generally depicted as young men carrying bird cages, except in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum and their remakes, in which they are female. HeartGold and SoulSilver use the Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum sprites in the Battle Frontier, mainly for compatibility between the games when playing the 2-player mode of Battle Tower's Multi Battle.

As their name suggests, they specialize in Flying-type Pokémon that are based on birds, like Pidgeot.

In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Bird Keepers will award three Poké Balls along with prize money upon being defeated, except for Master Trainers.

In Pokémon Stadium, they are known as Birdboys.

Gallery

Artwork

ORAS Bird Keeper.png
Art from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Sprites and models

In the core series

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Missing overworld model and needs higher quality image from LGPE
Spr RG Bird Keeper.png Spr Y Bird Keeper.png Spr GS Bird Keeper.png Spr RS Bird Keeper.png Spr FRLG Bird Keeper.png Spr DP Bird Keeper.png Spr HGSS Bird Keeper.png
Sprite from
Red and Blue 		Sprite from
Yellow 		Sprite from
Generation II 		Sprite from
Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald 		Sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen 		Sprite from
Generation IV* 		Sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Bird Keeper I OD.png Bird Keeper II OD.png Guitarist RSE OD.png Bird Keeper FRLG OD.png Ace Trainer f IV OD.png Bird Keeper Guitarist HGSS OD.png
Overworld sprite from
Generation I 		Overworld sprite from
Generation II 		Overworld sprite from
Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald 		Overworld sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen 		Overworld sprite from
Generation IV* 		Overworld sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
VSBird Keeper.png VSBird Keeper PE.png VSBird Keeper Master PE.png VSBird Keeper BDSP.png
VS portrait from
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire 		VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee! 		Master Trainer VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee! 		VS model from
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Bird Keeper ORAS OD.png Bird Keeper BDSP OD.png
Overworld model from
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire 		Overworld model from
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

In other games

SJP Bird Keeper.png S2 Bird Keeper.pngS2 Bird Keeper alt.pngS2 Bird Keeper alt2.png
Birdboy portrait from Stadium Portraits from
Stadium 2

Trainer list

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow


Pokémon Gold and Silver


Pokémon Crystal


Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire


See more: List of Battle Tower Trainers in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire/Bird Keeper

Pokémon Emerald


See more: List of Battle Frontier Trainers in Generation III/Bird Keeper

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen


Pokémon Diamond and Pearl


See more: List of Battle Tower Trainers in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl/Bird Keeper

Pokémon Platinum


See more: List of Battle Frontier Trainers in Generation IV/Bird Keeper

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver


See more: List of Battle Frontier Trainers in Generation IV/Bird Keeper

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire


Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!


Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl


See more: List of Battle Tower Trainers in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl/Bird Keeper

Pokémon Stadium


Pokémon Stadium 2


In animation

Rosebay, a Pokémornithologist in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Several Bird Keepers appear in Johto: Malachi and Denjirō in Carrying On!, Wilbur in Fly Me to the Moon, Wings Alexander in Throwing in the Noctowl.

In Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, Rosebay, the character of the day of A Staravia is Born!, appears to be a female Bird Keeper and refers to herself as a Pokémornithologist. This character being a female is consistent with the depiction of the Bird Keepers in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

A male Bird Keeper in Pokémon Adventures

A male Bird Keeper first appeared in Who Gives a Hoothoot?, where he hosted a game in which the participant has to capture the Wooper that are let loose in a given amount of time. So far, none of the challengers have succeeded. Gold accepts the Bird Keeper's challenge, much to his amusement. Unbeknownst to the Bird Keeper, Gold had his Aipom, Aibo, use Swagger to confuse Hoothoot before they began. The Bird Keeper started the challenge, and Gold captured many Wooper. When the Bird Keeper was about to have his Hoothoot stop the clock, Hoothoot starts to get confused. The other participants then realize that his business is fake. His cover blown, the Bird Keeper quickly retreats.

A female Bird Keeper in Pokémon Adventures

The same Bird Keeper reappears in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei (Part 1), where he encounters Falkner, as he too specializes in bird Pokémon. He shows Falkner his collection of recently caught Pokémon, much to the Violet Gym Leader's interest. The Bird Keeper does not give any of them away. When Raikou and Entei appear, the Bird Keeper gets excited and wants to catch them. Entei almost attacks him, but Falkner, flying on his Skarmory, grabs him just before he is hit. He is then seen riding on Falkner's Skarmory while Falkner battles the two legendary Pokémon. The Bird Keeper has trouble keeping up with Skarmory's flying speed. He continues to ride on Falkner's Skarmory in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei (Part 2), watching Falkner take on the legendary beasts. After Falkner fails to catch them, the Bird Keeper gets trapped by a boomerang Poké Ball and arrested by Falkner.

He makes a cameo in The Last Battle XIII as one of the people who volunteered their Pokémon for transfer.

Emerald arc

In Facing Gulpin Is Hard to Swallow, a virtual Bird Keeper using a Taillow is seen at the Battle Tower.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

A Bird Keeper appears amongst the people visiting the Safari Zone in Weavile Wobbles But It Won't Fall Down.

Platinum arc

A female Bird Keeper makes an appearance as a background character in the Platinum chapter. She first appeared with a crowd entering the Battle Frontier when Palmer told his assistants to open the gates. Later, she saw Looker flying on his jetpack while he was looking for Platinum.

Pokémon
On hand
Hoothoot
Bird Keeper's Hoothoot

Hoothoot is the Bird Keeper's partner Pokémon. In its first appearance, it served as a timer when the Bird Keeper set up a game in which certain Pokémon have to be captured in a set time. However, the Bird Keeper had Hoothoot decrease the amount secretly. Gold was able to find out about this when his Aipom, Aibo, used Swagger on Hoothoot, causing it to become confused. Hoothoot reappeared in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei (Part 1).

None of Hoothoot's moves are known.

Wooper (multiple)
Bird Keeper's Wooper

During a fake business, the Bird Keeper set up a game where the participant was required to capture some Wooper in a given amount of time. They were given special Poké Balls to capture them though. After his business was revealed to be a fake, the Poké Balls which possibly contained the Wooper were left behind and the Bird Keeper ran off.

None of Wooper's moves are known.

Taillow
Bird Keeper's Taillow

Taillow was used by a virtual Bird Keeper at the Battle Tower.

None of Taillow's moves are known.

Swablu
Bird Keeper's Swablu

Swablu was briefly seen with its Trainer when they were entering the Battle Frontier.

None of Swablu's moves are known.

Pidgey
Bird Keeper's Pidgey

Pidgey briefly appeared with its Trainer in the Battle Frontier.

None of Pidgey's moves are known.

Jumpluff
Bird Keeper's Jumpluff

Jumpluff was seen with its Trainer while exploring the Safari Zone Gate.

None of Jumpluff's moves are known.

In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Bird Keeper or their Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Bird Keeper's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion 		Rarity # Japanese
Expansion 		Rarity #
Rowlet Grass Darkness Ablaze Common 011/189 Infinity Zone C 006/100
Shining Fates Common 006/072 Shiny Star V   001/190
Shining Fates Rare Shiny SV001/SV122 Shiny Star V S 200/190
Starly Colorless Darkness Ablaze Common 145/189 Infinity Zone C 082/100
Swanna Colorless Darkness Ablaze Rare 149/189 Infinity Zone U 086/100
      Shiny Star V   145/190
Shining Fates Rare Shiny SV096/SV122 Shiny Star V S 295/190
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion 		Rarity # Japanese
Expansion 		Rarity #
Bird Keeper Su Darkness Ablaze Uncommon 159/189 Infinity Zone U 094/100
      Shiny Star V   172/190
Shining Fates Rare Ultra 066/072 Shiny Star V SR 193/190
      VMAX Climax   155/184
 


Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 養鳥人 Yéuhngníuhyàhn *
操控鳥的人 Chōuhung Níuh-dīk Yàhn *
Mandarin 養鳥人 / 养鸟人 Yǎngniǎorén *
飼鳥使者 Sìniǎoshǐzhě *
操控鳥的人 Cāokòng Niǎo-de Rén *
操縱鳥的人 Cāozòng Niǎo-de Rén *
France Flag.png French Ornithologue
Germany Flag.png German Vogel-Profi (VII)
Vogelfänger (I-VI)
Indonesia Flag.png Indonesian Pelatih Burung
Italy Flag.png Italian Avicoltore (♂)
Avicoltrice (♀)
South Korea Flag.png Korean 새 조련사 Sae Joryeonsa
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Ornitólogo ♂)
Ornitóloga (♀)
Spain Flag.png Spanish Ornitólogo (♂)
Ornitóloga (♀)

References

  1. ↑ Bird Keeper (Darkness Ablaze 159)
Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper* • ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
Channeler • Elite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPE • Engineer • Fisherman • Gamer* • Gentleman • Gym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
Hiker • Juggler • Lass • Picnicker* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Trainer*GSCPE • Psychic • RivalFRLG • Rocker • Roughneck*
Sailor • Scientist • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Tamer • Team Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPE • Team Rocket Grunt* • Youngster
BoarderHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • FirebreatherGSCHGSS • GuitaristGSCHGSS • MediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSS • School Kid*GSCHGSS • SkierHGSS • TeacherGSCHGSS • TwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLG • Crush KinFRLG • Sis and BroFRLG • Young CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPE • Karate MasterPE • Punk GuyPE • Team RocketPE • Team Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Sevii Islands Aroma Lady • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Camper • Cool Couple • Cooltrainer • Crush Girl
Crush Kin • Cue Ball • Fisherman • Gentleman • Hiker • Juggler • Lady • Lass • Painter • Picnicker • PokéManiac
PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Psychic • Ruin Maniac • Scientist • Sis and Bro • Swimmer • Tamer
Team Rocket Admin • Team Rocket Grunt • Twins • Tuber • Young Couple • Youngster
Trainer Tower only:
Beauty • Burglar • Engineer • Rocker • Sailor • Super Nerd
Johto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Boarder • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper
Champion • Executive* • Firebreather • Fisherman* • Gentleman • Guitarist • Hiker • Juggler • Kimono Girl • Lass
Leader • Medium • Picnicker • Pokéfan • Poké Maniac* • PKMN Trainer • Policeman* • Psychic • RivalHGSS • Sage
Sailor • School Kid* • Scientist • Skier • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Teacher • Team Rocket Grunt* • Twins • Youngster
Mystery Man*CHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • ElderHGSS • PasserbyHGSS • Young CoupleHGSS
Battle Frontier only:HGSS

Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Cameraman • Clown • Collector • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Dragon Tamer • Idol
Jogger • Lady • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • PI • Poké Kid • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Rancher • Reporter
Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Socialite • Tuber • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker
Arcade Star • Castle Valet • Factory Head • Hall Matron • Tower Tycoon

Hoenn Ace Trainer* • Aqua AdminSEAS • Aqua LeaderSEAS • Aroma Lady • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt
Bug Catcher • Bug Maniac • Camper • Champion • Collector • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Expert • Fisherman
Gentleman • Guitarist • Hex Maniac • Hiker • Interviewers* • Kindler • Lady • Lass • Leader • Magma AdminREOR
Magma LeaderREOR • Ninja Boy • Old Couple • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • Poké Fan* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Breeder*
Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Psychic • Rich Boy • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • Schoolkid* • Sis & Bro* • Swimmer
Team Aqua GruntSEAS • Team Magma GruntREOR • Teammates* • Triathlete • Tuber • Twins • Winstrate • Young Couple • Youngster
Ace DuoORAS • Brains & BrawnORAS • BackpackerORAS • DelinquentORAS • Fairy Tale GirlORAS • Fare PrinceORAS
Free DiverORAS • LeadersORAS • LorekeeperORAS • Mysterious SistersORAS • ProprietorORAS • Rotation GirlORAS
Scuba DiverORAS • Secret Base ExpertORAS • Secret Base TrainerORAS • SootopolitanORAS • Street ThugORAS
Battle Frontier only:E
Arena Tycoon • Dome Ace • Factory Head • Palace Maven • Pike Queen • Pyramid King • Salon Maiden
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS
Artist • Battle Chatelaine • Butler • Chef • Furisode Girl • Garçon • Gardener • Madame • Maid • Monsieur • Owner • Preschooler
Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Rising Star • Roller Skater • Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Scientist • Tourist • Veteran • Waitress • Worker
Sinnoh Ace Trainer • Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Cameraman • Camper • Champion
Clown • Collector • Commander • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Double Team • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Fisher* • Gentleman • Guitarist
Gym Leader* • Hiker • Idol • Interviewers • Jogger • Lady • Lass • Madame* • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • PI • Poké Fan*
Poké Kid • Pokémon Breeder* • Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Police Officer* • Psychic • Rancher • Ranchers*
Reporter • Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • School Kid • Scientist • Skier • Swimmer • Team Galactic Boss*
Team Galactic Grunt* • Tower Tycoon • Tuber • Twins • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Young Couple • Youngster
Arcade StarPt • Castle ValetPt • Factory HeadPt • Hall MatronPt • MaidPt • GAME FREAK'sBDSP
Project CharacterDex logo.png This Trainer Class article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.
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