On their way to Goldenrod City, Ash and his friends ran into Dr. Wiseman, a collector of rare Pokémon. He had been trying to catch this particular Noctowl, but had been unable to as it had always outsmarted him. He tried to lure it with some food, but Noctowl saw through his attempt and shook him off the tree, laughing at his plight. Ash later decided to catch the Noctowl, though it used Hypnosis on him, making Ash attempt to order a rock (thinking it was Pikachu) to battle Noctowl to no avail, and it laughed at his predicament. Eventually, after driving Team Rocket away, Noctowl fought Ash's Pikachu, using its Hypnosis to make him attack randomly. Ash snapped Pikachu out of his confusion and told him to listen to its wings, allowing Pikachu to land a super-effective Thunderbolt on Noctowl, knocking it out and allowing Ash to catch it.
Noctowl glitters as it comes out of its Poké Ball. Due to its psychic abilities, it has been used many times to find and battle Ghost-type Pokémon as well as for the usual flying requirements that Ash utilizes. During his gym battle against Morty, Noctowl defeated his Haunter before battling his Gengar. Noctowl was initially put on the defensive by having to dodge multiple Night Shade attacks, but Ash was able to have Noctowl use Confusion on the entire room, revealing Gengar's position. After using Foresight, Noctowl defeated Gengar with Tackle.
When Ash and his friends were going to Ecruteak City, they saw a Pidgey being attacked by a wild Fearow. Ash sent Noctowl out, who used Hynosis on the Fearow, causing it to think that it was a Charizard and it fled.
Ash later left Noctowl at Oak's possession, when he decided to make a fresh start when he left for Hoenn.
Noctowl is the only one of Ash's bird Pokémon to have been fully evolved when it was captured. As such, Noctowl is also the only Flying-type Pokémon currently owned by Ash that did not evolve under his ownership.
Noctowl is also the first Shiny Pokémon to be owned by a major character.
Despite Pokédex entries in the games stating how Noctowl can fly without making a sound, Pikachu was able to beat Noctowl by listening for the sound of its wings.
Noctowl is one of Ash’s officially trained Pokémon not to physically appear in the To Be a Pokémon Master anime miniseries.
Noctowl has the most appearance of all the Shiny Pokémon.
