How to Get Galarian Birds in Pokémon Go

To get Galarian birds in Pokémon Go, players must participate in specific in-game events, complete timed research tasks, or encounter them during special raid battles. One effective method is tracking how to catch Galarian birds in Pokémon Go during seasonal events, as these rare regional forms often appear during limited-time spawns linked to global festivals or storyline updates like the Crown Tundra expansion.

Understanding the Galarian Birds: A Unique Trio from the Galar Region

The Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are region-exclusive variants introduced through the Pokémon Sword and Shield expansion pass content, later integrated into Pokémon Go via special events. Unlike their original Kanto counterparts, these birds exhibit distinct typings, appearances, and battle roles influenced by the UK-inspired Galar region. Galarian Articuno becomes a Psychic-type, Galarian Zapdos shifts to Fighting-type, and Galarian Moltres transforms into a Dark/Flying-type—each reflecting thematic changes rooted in mythology and competitive balance.

These evolutions aren't just cosmetic; they represent deeper narrative choices about power, dominance, and survival. In the lore of the Galar region, these birds were once warriors in an ancient royal army, altered by experimental combat enhancements. This backstory enriches their presence in Pokémon Go, where encountering one feels less like random luck and more like stepping into a forgotten legend.

Event-Based Availability: When and How They Appear

Galarian birds do not spawn regularly in the wild. Their availability is tightly tied to time-limited events such as “Go Tours,” “Season of Legends,” or collaborations with main-series Pokémon games. For example, during the Crown Tundra crossover event, Niantic released Galarian birds in three-week rotations, each bird appearing for approximately one week with boosted spawn rates in certain biomes.

To maximize your chances, monitor official Pokémon Go channels—including the Pokémon Go Live website and social media—for announcements about upcoming events. These updates typically reveal exact start and end dates, duration windows (e.g., 10 AM local time to 8 PM), and any associated Field Research tasks that unlock encounters.

Completing Special Research Tasks

One of the most reliable ways to obtain all three Galarian birds is by completing a Special Research story arc titled something like “Feathered Foes” or “Legends in the Mirror.” These quests usually require players to defeat or capture multiple Boss Pokémon in Raid Battles, complete weather-affected catches, or spin PokéStops under specific conditions.

Each step rewards Stardust, Rare Candy, or exclusive encounter opportunities. The final task generally grants a guaranteed chance to catch one of the Galarian birds. While only one bird may be available per completion, reruns of the same Special Research have allowed players to collect the full set over time.

Tips for Completing Research Efficiently

• Stock up on Golden Razz Berries and Premier Balls before beginning.
• Use Incense and Lucky Eggs during double Stardust weekends to accelerate progress.
• Team up with local communities to complete Raid Battle objectives faster.
• Check if the current event includes remote Raid Pass functionality, allowing participation without physical travel.

Raid Battles: Co-op Strategy for Success

Galarian birds frequently appear as Tier 5 Raid Bosses. These raids demand coordinated effort—ideally four to five high-level trainers using optimal counters. Knowing how to beat Galarian Zapdos in Pokémon Go, for instance, requires understanding type advantages: since it’s Fighting-type, Psychic- and Flying-type attackers like Alakazam, Meowscarada, or Mega Aerodactyl perform exceptionally well.

Bird	Type	Weak Against	Best Counters
Galarian Articuno	Psychic	Bug, Ghost, Dark	Gengar, Chandelure, Mega Gengar
Galarian Zapdos	Fighting/Flying	Pyschic, Ice, Rock, Electric	Alakazam, Meowscarada, Mega Houndoom
Galarian Moltres	Dark/Flying	Electric, Ice, Rock, Fairy	Mega Pidgeot, Roserade, Rhyperior

Joining local Discord servers or using apps like RaidHelper can help you find groups quickly. Arrive early to ensure network stability and confirm whether the host has shared the correct raid code. If playing remotely, verify connection quality to avoid disconnections mid-battle.

Regional Spawns and Weather Influence

While not truly region-locked in Pokémon Go like in core series games, Galarian birds sometimes follow pseudo-regional patterns during events. For example, European servers saw higher spawn rates during a summer solstice celebration featuring British-themed elements. Additionally, sunny or clear weather increases the likelihood of encountering Galarian Zapdos, while foggy conditions favor Galarian Articuno.

Always enable dual catch mode and keep your map refreshed during active weather cells. Using a GPS stabilizer app (within Niantic's acceptable use policy) can reduce location errors when moving between weather zones.

Shiny Variants and Catch Rates

A major incentive for repeated engagement is the possibility of catching Shiny Galarian birds. Each has a unique color scheme: Shiny Galarian Articuno turns golden-yellow, contrasting its standard violet plumage. Due to their low base catch rate (~2% without bonuses), it’s wise to prepare:

• Use Pinap Berries to double Candy yield upon capture.
• Save Ultra Balls until the bird reaches red health and is inflicted with status effects (sleep or freeze).
• Throw curveballs consistently for a 1.7x bonus multiplier.
• Activate a Silver Pinap Berry if available during special events for enhanced odds.

Some events introduce temporary boosts—for instance, a weekend where Curveball throws earned tripled XP and increased catch probability. Timing your hunt around these periods dramatically improves efficiency.

Common Misconceptions About Obtaining Galarian Birds

Several myths persist in the player community. One widespread belief is that Galarian birds can be hatched from 7 km eggs—a claim debunked by data miners. Another false tip suggests renaming your buddy Pokémon triggers a hidden spawn mechanic; no evidence supports this.

Additionally, some believe these birds remain permanently available after debut. In reality, they disappear post-event unless reintroduced in future rotations. Players who missed past events should focus on anticipating re-releases rather than relying on constant access.

Future Predictions and Re-Release Patterns

Niantic tends to rotate legendary and mythical Pokémon every 12–18 months. Based on historical data, Galarian birds last appeared together during Q4 2023. Therefore, a likely return window would fall between late 2024 and mid-2025, possibly aligned with the anniversary of the Crown Tundra DLC or a new regional tour.

Subscribing to push notifications in the Pokémon Go app ensures you won’t miss short-notice events. Also, consider linking your account to Adventure Sync to earn distance-based progress toward Field Research goals even when offline.

How to Prepare for the Next Galarian Bird Event

Preparation begins long before the official announcement. Start by leveling up your Trainer rank to at least 35 to increase inventory capacity and Raid effectiveness. Stockpile essential items: aim for 50+ Ultra Balls, 20+ Max Revives, and a reserve of Timer Scrolls if participating in remote Raids.

Train your counter队伍 (teams) in the Battle League to test synergy and refine move sets. Focus on powering up key Pokémon like Mega Gengar or Alakazam if you lack elite Glass-type attackers. Finally, join regional Facebook groups or Telegram chats focused on coordinated Raid scheduling.

Verifying Event Details and Avoiding Scams

With misinformation spreading rapidly across forums, always cross-check details via authoritative sources. The only verified outlets are:

• Official Pokémon Go Blog (pokemongolive.com)
• @pokemongoapp on X (formerly Twitter)
• In-game news feed updates

Beware of fake event maps or third-party generators claiming to show “live Galarian bird locations.” These often harvest login credentials or violate ToS, risking account suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get all three Galarian birds in Pokémon Go?

Yes, but not simultaneously. Each becomes available during separate events or research arcs. Collecting all three requires participation across multiple limited-time windows.

Do Galarian birds cost money to obtain?

No direct purchase option exists. While Raid Battles may require Raid Passes (free daily or $0.99 USD each), all core mechanics are accessible without spending real money.

Are Galarian birds stronger than regular ones?

It depends on context. Galarian Zapdos excels in PvP due to STAB Fighting moves, while Galarian Articuno struggles against common Ghost-types. Evaluate based on league format and team composition.

Will Galarian birds return in 2025?

Highly likely, given Niantic’s re-release pattern. Monitor official channels starting Q3 2024 for teasers.

Can I trade Galarian birds with friends?

Yes, provided both parties are level 40+, have friendship upgraded to Great/Best Buddy, and comply with annual trade limits.