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Whenever a split like that comes up, I just make up the ham handed excuse that the Pokemon, let's say a Fearow, uses its own personal (or shared because it's not the only Flying type) energies to imbue the attack with the necessary force that makes it a Flying type move. I don't believe that just because it attacks with its beak makes it a certain type, because that just wouldn't make sense. If that were the case, than a Charmander's Tail Whip would be a Fire move, and any attack from almost every grass type Pokemon would be Grass type, as the vast majority of them are giant walking plants.

Then again, Pokemon in general make practically zero sense already, but I'm just offering my two cents on the matter.

No no, you're right. I was also thinking that about charmanders, monfernos, magmars, etc. Same for the plant thing, should vine whip really count as a grass type move if an Onix can whip it's opponent with it's tail and not have it be a rock type move?thing is that with a move like Fearow's fury attack is that it is still forcing it's sharp beak into the opponent the same way it would with peck whereas if a bulbasaur uses tackle it is throwing itself into the opponent vs smacking it with vines or leaves. Then again, if Sceptile uses it's tail for slam, should that not be a grass move? And what makes wood hammer grass if it is basically the pokemon pimp smacking with authority the same way Sceptile does with slam? Hmm, indeed, the question burns with no answer.

I was just about to mention the very lax definition of Slam and you beat me to it. Bravo. For Grass Pokemon, maybe the Pokemon types who are weak to our leafy fighters are vulnerable because of a biological reaction to the very type of chemicals that could possibly be standard on all Grass type Pokemon? For example, maybe there is a uniform type of molecular strand that helps build and classify a Pokemon as a Grass type, and is present on the floral growths that litter their bodies. Perhaps Rock, Ground and Water Pokemon have a severely low tolerance from that specific possibly smaller than cellular most likely non-existent bundle of bio-junk? Maybe that's how Grass types have their method of attacking, a means of biological warfare?

I'm just going to play it safe and go with my energy theory, but you raise good points.

Eh, I'd say no. A small flame like that barely elicits a feeling, let alone any pain. It's like moving your hand rapidly over a candle; you get a warm sensation, but no physical damage.

Edit - However, if you mix it up and like, have it shove its tail at the enemy and hold it long enough I would allow you to have some type of hurting feeling.

I'm not like, preaching that this is how it goes or how it should go, I was just offering a possible answer to his question that stems from a personal train of thought.