Shearwig

Shearwig
Appears in	Pikmin, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3
Scientific name	Himeagea volaris
Family	Mandiblard
Areas	The Forest Navel, The Distant Spring, Perplexing Pool, Wistful Wild
Caves	Snagret Hole, Citadel of Spiders, Hole of Heroes
Challenge Mode stages	Twilight Hollow
Mission Mode Collect Treasure! stages	None
Mission Mode Battle Enemies! stages	None
Side Story days	None
2-Player Battle stages	None
Bingo Battle stages	None
Attacks	Eats Pikmin Destroys bridges

Shearwigs (トビンコ) are enemies found in all three Pikmin games. The females of this species aren't seen, as according to Olimar's notes, they spend their entire life underground, somewhat similar to cicadas. They also do not possess the male's wings. The males have a dark green shell, sporting simple bug-like wings and large, sickle-shaped mandibles. They are more aggressive than Male Sheargrubs, and take leave of the ground to hover up high after having lost at least half of their health to allow it to steadily return. While up in the air, these creatures are still within the reach of a Pikmin throw, of which just one accurate button-press is enough to kill them.

When flying, Shearwigs are given the chance to regenerate health. In Pikmin, Shearwigs have enormous health regeneration. Pikmin 2 gives them slow health regeneration, but their health regeneration is much larger when in flight.

Like other Mandiblards, Shearwigs have an affinity for chewing apart stick bridges, and they lose health while in water. The beasts fly up out of the water after losing half of their health, so this cannot kill them unless they bite onto a Pikmin while in the water. If they are hit directly with a Pikmin, they will die instantly, just like a Dwarf Bulborb. Another method is to throw Purple Pikmin onto a Shearwig; this tactic is rather effective, and will stun other Shearwigs in the area.

In Pikmin 2, these enemies deal the most amount of damage to a captain, with the damage about 1/3 of the health without the Justice Alloy, and about 1/4 with the Justice Alloy. Shearwigs also have much more health than its relatives in Pikmin 2.

In Pikmin 2's 2-Player Mode, Shearwigs may sometimes pop out when the player digs up a yellow marble.

In Pikmin 3, Shearwigs gain the ability to swoop down and grab Pikmin while in flight, making them somewhat more dangerous. Also, they will now fly almost all the time while fighting, not just to regain health, as they do in the previous games. This makes them easy to strike down and deal good damage to, and makes them easy targets for Winged Pikmin .

Notes

Reel notes

"The males of this species are able to fly, but the females remain underground."

Olimar's Notes

"Unusual for their genus, flying mandiblards have retained their wings. However, only the adult males of this species can fly. Females of this species spend most of their life span underground. They do emerge for a period after maturation to spawn, but never metamorphose."

Louie's Notes

"Grate this beast into a zest and whisk with sugar, cream, and chopped dark chocolate for a lusciously indulgent mousse that's a true culinary coup de grace!"

Nintendo Player's Guide

"Shearwigs are essentially Male Sheargrubs with wings. You can pluck a Shearwig from the air with a toss of a single Pikmin, then defeat it quickly with a small swarm. Although it takes some effort to aim and fire at the little bugs, they provide a good source of Pikmin sprouts."

Pikmin 3 Prima Guide

"These creatures behave much like Male Sheargrubs, burrowing underground and waiting to attack unsuspecting prey. Once above ground, however, Shearwigs fly into the air and attack your Pikmin from above. When you encounter a group of Shearwigs, move out of range and attack the enemies from a distance. During prolonged battles, Shearwigs will shake their attackers by burrowing underground. Don’t let your guard down until you’re sure the area is clear of enemies."

Minor glitches

In Pikmin, there is a visual glitch that can happen when the Shearwigs in The Distant Spring by the Massage Machine are hiding underground. If they are hiding right on the ledge that goes into the water, they can be seen above ground, completely motionless.

In the same game, Pikmin that are thrown or ordered into an area where Shearwigs are under the ground attack the ground as if something were there (similarly to the way White Pikmin unearth buried treasure). However, the Shearwigs will not come to the surface unless Captain Olimar moves near enough. This is useful for when Pikmin need to carry objects through an area with Shearwigs or Sheargrubs (such as the Guard Satellite or the Extraordinary Bolt), as the enemies won't attack the Pikmin. This can also be used to indicate whether any Mandiblards lie ahead.

Gallery

• Shearwig1.jpg

  Official concept art of a Shearwig from Pikmin.

• 

  The Shearwig as seen in the Creature Montage of Pikmin.

• Shearwigs eating bridge.jpg

  Shearwigs tearing apart bridges in Pikmin.

• 

  Artwork of three Shearwigs from Pikmin 2.

• 

  A Shearwig taking flight.

Trivia

• Using an Action Replay to access a model test menu in Pikmin, the Shearwig's code name is "kabejuiC". In this same model viewer, the Shearwig has no wings.
• The Shearwig is based on the real-life insect known as the Earwig, which has large mandibles and also has wings.
• The Shearwig, along with the Spotty Bulbear and Gatling Groink, are the only enemies that regenerate their health.
• The Pikmin 3 Shearwig appears to have an exoskeleton on its mandibles and face instead of its whole body like in Pikmin 1 and 2.
• In Pikmin 3, Shearwigs appear only at the Formidable Oak. Since the creatures found in this area are merely illusions of the Plasm Wraith , it could be said that the Shearwig is never truly seen in the Story.