The Shiny Pidgey meme stems from the legendary rarity of 'Shiny' Pokémon, which feature a different color palette than their standard versions. While Pidgey is arguably the most common encounter in the Pokémon franchise, finding its shiny variant—a subtle golden hue—remains a rite of passage and a source of humor for many players. The meme typically highlights the extreme dedication required for 'shiny hunting' or the humorous anti-climax of finally finding a rare variant only for it to be a common 'Route 1' bird. It serves as a relatable symbol for gamers who experience the highs and lows of RNG (random number generation) and the community's shared obsession with these rare digital trophies.