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I like articuno, too.
I always adored how in the first sprites articuno's tail obscures its feet. Is it standing? Is it flying? Its flowing tail evokes the wind, is it floating along air currents like a swan on water? It gives it an ethereal, mystical feel that clearly separates it from the mundane normal/flying birds you've been seeing all game.
There's something about these sprites generally, with the slightly awkward look and the unnatural pose combined with the attempt to make it look striking and beautiful, that reminds me of how a mythical beast might be depicted in an ancient mural or medieval manuscript. Seeing THIS through the binoculars made a big impression on me as a child.
Although I prefer this original articuno, Sugimori's interpretation and some of the other early depictions still retained some element of its power and majesty. Over time it's become more and more of a plain blue parrot that doesn't feel legendary at all.
