[[header:Doduo Line]]

!!Morphs [Oak Catalog #]

* Doduo [084]
* Dodrio [085]

!!Physical Description

Doduo is a Pokémon with an outwardly simple body structure, consisting of a roughly spherical body covered in brown feathers, connected by two long slender necks (black in males, brown in females) to two smaller, equally spherical heads, each bearing two eyes and a long slender beak. It also has two similarly long and slender avian legs with four-toed feet. Despite being avian it lacks visible wings, and the tiny vestigial wings are effectively nonfunctional.

Dodrio looks very similar but with an additional head, and each head has a prominent crest consisting of two black feathers and more expressive eyes. It also has dark plumage on its hips and three large pink tail feathers, as well as being noticeably larger. (being on average 1.8m (5'11") tall as opposed to Doduo's 1.4m (4'7")

!!Notable Biology

Even amonst Pokémon, Duduo and Dodrio are considered especially strange for their multiple heads. While an odd and unwieldy biological feature, for most Doduo this works well for them and grants several advantages. Each head has a separate brain that generally thinks and develops independently, though usually very similar to the other head due to their shared body and experiences. Dissections have shown that Duduo has a unique spinal chord that splits near the base, giving both heads generally equal control over the rest of the body. (which can prove fatal if the heads argue in dangerous situations, though social instincts usually override such arguments)

Dodrio is similar, with the spinal chord spitting again during the body changes of evolution. Interestingly, the heads of a Dodrio seem to show more individuality than those of Doduo, being more prone to fighting between one another over trifles and food (which is humorously illogical considering they share the same stomach, and once one head eats all will calm down) and it is never clear which head is the 'main' one, even though many humans assume the middle head is. Doduo line psychology has been the subject of long studies by many Pokémon psychologists in recent times.

The multiple heads nevertheless prove to have many advantages for Doduo and Dodrio. It is typical behaviour for one head to sleep (or two in the case of Dodrio) while the other stays awake to keep watch for predators and threats. When all heads are awake and aware, very little gets past the view of a Dodrio. Different heads of Dodrio have been known to develop different personalities, which some researchers and trainers have proposed is due to them having different experiences and thoughts when the others are asleep. Some researchers have claimed that the heads tend to develop personalities along certain themes and dynamics, such as a brave head, a thoughtful head and an aggressive head. In contrast, Doduo almost always have two identical brains, with difference being the exception rather than the norm.

Aside from the heads, Doduo and Dodrio are also unusual amongst Flying-types in that they lack functional wings. While both species have wings, they are vestigial, nearly invisible and too small to be useful for anything except a few fighting moves. Instead, both species have long and powerful legs that give them incredible running speed and jumping height, to the point where Dodrio leaps are easy to mistake for flight and a trainer riding a Doduo can travel long distances with relative ease.

!!Habitat

Both Doduo and Dodrio are primarily found in plains, savannah, bush and deserts, only rarely living in forested regions. They can be found mainly in the Kanto and Johto regions, while elsewhere they are a staple of Safari Zones.

!!Diet

Doduo and Dodrio are omnivorous, but dine primarily on small plants according to the season, and various small Bug-types. They are also known to consume small stones to aid digestion (a common habit among reptilian and avian Pokémon, known as gastroliths) which leads to a reputation of trained Doduo and Dodrio eating virtually anything that fits down their throats, including marbles, car keys, currency and shards of glass. [[Trainer's Note: It is highly recommended to keep a captive Doduo or Dodrio under careful supervision, lest they eat something important or dangerous to their health.]]

!!Hazards

Due to their powerful legs and great stamina, most Doduo and Dodrio simply outrun any perceived threat with ease. When cornered or aggressive, those same legs are employed in powerful kicking attacks, and their strong and multiple beaks allow them to employ fast multiple pecking attacks, which are especially fast and complex from a Dodrio. Neither species is usually a threat to nonaggressive humans, but provoking them is still heavily discouraged.

In some regions, Doduo and Dodrio are rather curious about humans and other Pokémon, following any movement of clothing or limbs and inspecting the various objects that humans leave around them. They are also known to poke smaller creatures and run away from the reaction, as if playing a game. Trainers have been known to take advantage of this to provoke battles and capture the Pokémon in question.

In battles, Dodrio can display strange and unique abilities that take advantage of their unique body structure. The three heads may squabble when alone but will usually work together very well for coordinated physical attacks. The structure also allows it to use the Tri Attack technique, despite it having no other elemental techniques and not being particularly good with them. This attack is usually used to surprise attackers and inflict them with unpredictable effects, while the Dodrio escapes.

!!Courting and Childrearing

The courting rituals of Doduo and Dodrio vary between regions, though the most common involve the female Doduo attracting males of their kind with loud cries and complex dances, showing off their sparse plumage, flexibility and vocal range. They then form breeding pairs for several months, and the female lays several large eggs in a well-prepared next. The male then takes care of the eggs until they hatch, watching over them constantly and taking turns with each head until the chicks hatch, and are raised by both parents until they can fend for themselves.

Dodrio courtship rituals are strange, complex and entertaining, involving each head of one Dodrio attempting to impress and cultivate a relationship with a head of the other, often leading to bizarre competing relationships that may involve multiple Dodrio as the personalities of the various heads develop a confusing network of feelings. Nevertheless the chaos is usually resolved within a month, and they form breeding pairs and guards the eggs in a similar manner to Doduo.

!!Social Structure

As with courtship rituals, the social structures of Dodrio vary between regions, with some being mostly solitary and only flocking together to seek a common source of food, others forming semi-permanent breeding pairs, and a few forming matriarchal flocks of females that seek out territorial males. Almost all regional populations share the raising of the eggs and chicks, passing their behaviour patterns onto the next generation.

[-Written by Tropers/SabreJustice.-]