Pokemon GO: How To Get Shiny Rufflet (March 2026 Guide)

Updated by Ankit Babal
July 14, 2025
Gaming

Hey trainers! If you’re on the hunt for one of Pokemon GO’s rarest shinies, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been tracking Shiny Rufflet since its release during the 2020 Secrets of the Jungle event, and let me tell you – this golden-brown eaglet is worth every bit of effort. Whether you’re a dedicated shiny hunter or just starting your collection, I’ll share everything you need to know about catching this elusive Normal/Flying-type Pokemon and evolving it into the majestic Shiny Braviary.

What Is Shiny Rufflet in Pokemon GO? Quick Overview

Shiny Rufflet is a rare color variant of the Normal/Flying-type Pokemon that features golden-brown plumage instead of the standard violet coloration. Released on December 14, 2020, during the Secrets of the Jungle event, Shiny Rufflet remains one of the most sought-after shinies in Pokemon GO due to its limited availability and full-odds shiny rate.

Feature	Regular Rufflet	Shiny Rufflet
Main Color	Violet/Blue	Golden Brown
Availability	Rare	Very Rare
Shiny Rate	N/A	~1/500 (full odds)
Evolution Cost	50 Candy	50 Candy
Max CP	1686	1686

How To Get Shiny Rufflet in Pokemon GO?

1. Wild Encounters During Events

The most common way to encounter Shiny Rufflet is through increased wild spawns during special events. I’ve had my best luck during events like:

Flock Together Research Day (Most recent: May 11, 2024)
Ultra Unlock: Hisui Celebration
Spring into Spring events
Spotlight Hours featuring Rufflet

During these events, Rufflet’s spawn rate increases significantly, giving you more chances to encounter its shiny form. Without events, Rufflet is extremely rare in the wild, making event participation crucial for shiny hunting.

2. Raid Battles – Your Best Bet

One-star raids featuring Rufflet offer excellent shiny chances. Here’s why raids are my preferred method:

Higher shiny encounter rate after defeating the raid boss
Guaranteed encounter (can’t flee like wild spawns)
Weather boost potential for higher CP catches
Easy solo completion – any trainer can defeat Rufflet raids

Pro tip: Stack your free daily raid pass with premium passes during Rufflet raid events for maximum encounters!

3. Hatching from Eggs

Rufflet occasionally appears in different egg pools:

5km eggs during special events (like Secrets of the Jungle)
2km eggs during select events (Spring into Spring)
10km eggs as part of the regular pool (very rare)

While egg hatching isn’t the most efficient method due to RNG, it’s a passive way to potentially get Shiny Rufflet while walking for other objectives.

4. Field Research Encounters

Completing specific Field Research tasks can reward Rufflet encounters. These tasks typically include:

“Win 2 raids”
“Battle in GO Battle League”
Event-specific tasks during Rufflet features

The beauty of research encounters? They have a 10/10/10 IV floor and can’t run away, making them perfect for shiny checks!

5. GO Battle League Rewards

Rufflet was initially exclusive to GO Battle League rewards when it first launched. While less common now, it still occasionally appears as:

Rank reward encounters
End-of-season rewards
Special battle-themed events

Maximizing Your Shiny Rufflet Chances

Weather Boost Strategy

Rufflet spawns more frequently in Partly Cloudy and Windy weather conditions. Here’s my proven strategy:

Find a PokeStop or Gym with the right weather
Attach a Lure Module to the stop
Activate an Incense for personal spawns
Walk around the area to maximize spawn points

This triple-stack effect significantly increases spawn rates during events!

Using Items Effectively

To maximize your encounters:

Incense: 90-minute duration during events
Lure Modules: Standard, Glacial, or Mossy all work
Lucky Eggs: Double XP while grinding
Star Pieces: Extra stardust from catches

Event Preparation Tips

When a Rufflet event is announced:

Clear egg storage before the event starts
Stock up on Pokeballs (at least 500+)
Save your coins for raid passes
Join local raid groups for coordination
Plan your route for optimal spawn density

Shiny Rufflet Stats and Evolution

Rufflet Base Stats

Max CP: 1686 (Level 50) / 1491 (Level 40)
Attack: 150
Defense: 97
Stamina: 172
Type: Normal/Flying
Shiny Rate: ~1/500 (full odds)

CP Ranges by Encounter Type

Encounter Type	Min CP	Max CP
Wild (Level 1-30)	21	1317
Wild (Weather Boost)	26	1428
Raid (Level 20)	796	852
Raid (Weather Boost)	996	1065
Research (Level 15)	597	639
Egg Hatch (Level 20)	796	852

Evolving to Shiny Braviary

Once you’ve caught your Shiny Rufflet, evolving it requires:

50 Rufflet Candy
No special requirements or items

Shiny Braviary maintains the golden-brown color scheme and boasts impressive stats:

Max CP: 3491
Attack: 232
Defense: 152
Stamina: 225

Best Movesets for Rufflet and Braviary

Rufflet’s Optimal Moveset

For Raids/Gym Battles:

Fast Move: Wing Attack
Charged Move: Fly

For PvP (Little Cup):

Fast Move: Wing Attack
Charged Moves: Fly + Brave Bird

Braviary’s Best Moves

For PvE Content:

Fast Move: Air Slash
Charged Move: Brave Bird

For PvP:

Fast Move: Air Slash
Charged Moves: Brave Bird + Close Combat

Current Shiny Rufflet Availability (March 2026)

As of March 2026, Shiny Rufflet remains available but rare. Your best opportunities include:

Special events featuring Rufflet
Spotlight Hours (check monthly schedules)
Seasonal rotations in raids and eggs
GO Fest events often feature rare shinies

Keep an eye on the in-game news for upcoming Rufflet features!

Tips from a Veteran Shiny Hunter

After hunting hundreds of shinies, here’s my advice specifically for Rufflet:

1. Focus on Events

Don’t waste resources hunting outside of events. Rufflet’s rarity makes random encounters extremely unlikely.

2. Raid Smart

During Rufflet raid events, use your daily free pass first, then decide if the spawn density warrants premium passes.

3. Community Coordination

Join local Pokemon GO groups for your area. Coordinating raids and calling out spawns increases everyone’s chances.

4. Quick Catch Method

Master the quick catch technique to check more Pokemon faster. Every second counts during time-limited events!

5. IV Checking Priority

For shinies, IVs are secondary. Catch first, appraise later. You can always trade for better IVs with lucky friends.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Weather Conditions

Not taking advantage of partly cloudy or windy weather significantly reduces your encounter rate.

2. Poor Resource Management

Running out of Pokeballs mid-event is heartbreaking. Always overstock before events.

3. Neglecting Research Tasks

Event-specific research often has the best Rufflet encounter rates. Prioritize these tasks!

4. Solo Hunting

The Pokemon GO community is incredibly helpful. Don’t be shy about joining groups for better coverage.

5. Giving Up Too Soon

With full odds at ~1/500, you might need to check hundreds of Rufflet. Persistence pays off!

Is Shiny Braviary Worth It?

Absolutely! Here’s why Shiny Braviary is a valuable addition:

PvE Value

Solid Flying-type attacker for raids
Useful against Fighting, Bug, and Grass raid bosses
Mega boost compatibility with Flying-type megas

PvP Potential

Unique typing provides interesting coverage
Access to Close Combat for surprise factor
Viable in certain Cup formats

Collection Value

Relatively rare shiny
Impressive visual design
Trade value remains high

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Shiny Rufflet released?

Shiny Rufflet was released on December 14, 2020, during the Secrets of the Jungle event celebrating the Pokemon movie.

What are the odds of finding Shiny Rufflet?

Outside of events, Shiny Rufflet has the standard ~1/500 encounter rate. During certain events, these odds may be boosted.

Can Rufflet be Shiny from GBL encounters?

Yes! Any Rufflet encounter method can potentially yield a shiny, including GO Battle League rewards.

Is there a gender difference for Rufflet?

Rufflet is a male-only species. Its female counterpart is Vullaby, which has its own shiny form.

Do I need special items to evolve Shiny Rufflet?

No, you only need 50 Rufflet Candy. The shiny trait carries over automatically upon evolution.

Can I trade for Shiny Rufflet?

Yes, but as a shiny, it requires a Special Trade (one per day) and costs significant Stardust unless you’re Best Friends with the trader.

What’s the best way to get Rufflet Candy?

Catch every Rufflet you see (6 candy with Pinap Berry)
Walk Rufflet as your buddy (1 candy per 5km)
Complete raids during double candy events
Transfer extra Rufflet during double transfer candy events

How can I tell if Rufflet can be Shiny in the current event?

Check the official Pokemon GO blog or in-game news. Niantic typically announces if featured Pokemon can be shiny.

Is Shiny Rufflet available worldwide?

Yes, once released, Shiny Rufflet is available globally wherever Rufflet can spawn or be encountered.

Should I evolve my first Shiny Rufflet?

That’s personal preference! Some trainers keep one of each evolution stage. If it’s your only one, consider waiting until you have a second.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you’re having trouble with the game during Rufflet events, check out this Pokemon GO Troubleshooting Guide for solutions to authentication errors and other common problems.

Future Shiny Rufflet Opportunities

Based on past patterns, expect Shiny Rufflet to return during:

Anniversary events
Flying-type themed events
Movie tie-in celebrations
GO Fest events
Seasonal events featuring Unova Pokemon

Stay connected with the Pokemon GO community and check the in-game news regularly for announcements!

Final Thoughts

Catching Shiny Rufflet in Pokemon GO requires patience, strategy, and a bit of luck. But trust me, when you finally see those golden-brown feathers sparkle on your screen, all the effort becomes worth it. The key is maximizing your encounters during events and using every tool at your disposal – weather boosts, items, and community coordination.

Remember, shiny hunting is a marathon, not a sprint. Some trainers find their Shiny Rufflet on the first check, while others (like me) might need hundreds of encounters. Don’t get discouraged! Each Rufflet you catch brings you one step closer to your shiny, plus you’re building up candy for that eventual evolution.

Whether you’re building a shiny living dex, preparing for PvP battles, or just love the design, Shiny Rufflet and Braviary are fantastic additions to any collection. Keep this guide bookmarked for reference during events, share it with your raid groups, and most importantly – enjoy the hunt!

For more Pokemon GO guides and strategies, don’t forget to check out our Element Cup Tier List and other resources to level up your game.

Now get out there, trainer, and may the shiny odds be ever in your favor! That golden Rufflet is waiting for you!