Not all Pokemon look the same. He can still be a giraffe and a Pokemon at the same time. They're basically this world's animals.

[And to demonstrate, Riku pulls out another Pokeball and sends out his Pidgeotto. The video focuses on Highwind in all his prideful glory as he peeks at the Pokegear and then gives an uninterested chirp. After that, Riku shrugs and sends him back inside.]