Murkrow is an avianPokémon with black feathers. Its crooked, yellow beak and the three, feathery tufts on its head resemble a witch's nose and hat respectively. The feathery crest is smaller on the female than on the male. It has semi-circular, red eyes with white sclerae and pupils and a spiky collar of feathers around its neck. The shaggy feathers on its tail resemble the end of a broom, and there is a thin, red band at the base of the tail. Its yellow feet have four toes, three facing forward and one backward.
Murkrow awakens at dusk and moves during the night. It has a fondness for anything sparkly, and it will go as far as fighting with other Pokémon, such as Meowth or Gabite, in order to gain their stashes. However, it is also known to give these sparkly objects to Trainers that it is fond of. Whenever it is chased, it loses the attacker by leading it down dark mountain trails, and sometimes it does this to travelers as a mean-spirited prank. Its thieving and nocturnal nature has led it to become representative of misfortune. It was believed that saying, "Workrum, Workrum—bad luck, don't come," would serve as a protective incantation to drive away bad luck caused by seeing a Murkrow. It is possible to train a Murkrow to repeat words, as seen under Team Rocket's ownership. Murkrow usually live in flocks (referred to as "murders") amongst forests and swamps. Murkrow may also act as a servant of Honchkrow; with groups of at least 100 flying in at Honchkrow's call. There is a saying for Murkrow that goes, "Get home before the Murkrow fly." As mentioned in Sleep Style Dex, Murkrow has been seen falling asleep before it can hide all of its shiny objects. It is believed the reason is due to Murkrow becoming exhausted from searching and hiding said objects. Murkrow has four different sleep styles it sleeps in: Preening Sleep, Big-Yawn Sleep, Gem-Gathering Sleep, and Atop-Belly Sleep.
Feared and loathed by many, it is believed to bring misfortune to all those who see it at night. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) It is said that when chased, it lures its attacker onto dark mountain trails where the foe will get lost. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Murkrow was feared and loathed as the alleged bearer of ill fortune. This Pokémon shows strong interest in anything that sparkles or glitters. It will even try to steal rings from women.
Murkrow were feared as the alleged bearers of ill fortune. It shows strong interest in anything that sparkles. It will even try to steal rings from women.
Murkrow was feared and loathed as the alleged bearer of ill fortune. This Pokémon shows strong interest in anything that sparkles or glitters. It will even try to steal rings from women.
Widely shunned as a bearer of ill fortune. Upon crossing paths with this creature, I've been told one must chant “Workrum, Workrum—bad luck, don't come” as a protective incantation.
Murkrow fly throughout the nature park after sunset, looking for the glint of shiny objects in the darkness. They’re fearless creatures that won’t hesitate to tease Pokémon much larger than them.
It has a weakness for shiny things and hides any sparkling object it finds in a secret location. Sometimes it falls asleep before it can hide all its jewels-perhaps because it's worn out.
Murkrow debuted in Pikachu & Pichu, where a multitude of them were causing trouble in Big Town. They first appeared when Pikachu landed on their pole.
Three Murkrow made their animated series debut in All That Glitters!, where they stole Ash's Badges. They then joined forces with Ash's Noctowl against Team Rocket, and Ash eventually got back his Badges.
In Hocus Pokémon, Lily has a Murkrow that often sat on her shoulder and helped her with spells.
In Like a Meowth to a Flame, multiple Murkrow attacked Ash and his friends for unknown reasons as they were searching for a restaurant. Pikachu tried to scare the Murkrow away with Thunderbolt, but they kept on coming back. Tyson's Meowth then arrived and got rid of the Murkrow by using Fury Swipes on them.
In PK20, a Murkrow stole a large diamond ring piece that Pikachu and Meowth's groups were after. Murkrow accidentally dropped the piece later on.
In Show Me the Metal!, a Murkrow attempted to steal a nut from one of the Meltan, which had fallen on top of a Pokémon School building. Rowlet eventually retrieved it and gave it back to the Meltan.
In Got Meltan?, a Murkrow stole the Meltan that befriended Rowlet. Though Rowlet got Meltan back, the Murkrow was revealed to still have Meltan's nut.
A Murkrow appeared in PT17. It befriended Hiro after they escaped from a Skarmory, but was separated from him after he was sent to a hospital. Eventually, Hiro returned home, and they reunited after he got his memories back.
Among all Pokémon that are the lightest of their respective types, Murkrow is the heaviest.
In the National Pokédex, Murkrow is listed before Misdreavus, but Murkrow's Evolution, Honchkrow, is listed after Misdreavus's Evolution, Mismagius.
In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Murkrow is programmed to be able to learn Punishment through breeding, but no other Pokémon in the Flying Group can pass down Punishment as an Egg Move in those games. Vullaby and Mandibuzz are the only Flying Egg Group Pokémon that can learn Punishment, but they cannot pass down the move due to being female-only species.
Origin
Murkrow seems to be based on a crow, more specifically the carrion crow. Its crest can be taken to resemble a pointed hat, its beak a hooked nose, and its tail the bristles of a broom, giving it a resemblance to a witch in flight. It may also be inspired by witches' familiars, which often can be crows or ravens. Its crest also resembles that of the black hawk-eagle. In regards to its Generation IVEvolution, it can also be taken to resemble a gang member under a head Honchkrow. Its ability to mimic voices is referencing crows' and ravens' ability to imitate other sounds.
Name origin
Murkrow may be a combination of murky or murder (a group of crows) and crow.
Yamikarasu may be a combination of 闇 yami (darkness) and 烏 karasu (crow).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.