What’s This Post About?
Since the dawn of time, birds have been connected with superstitions and omens, with many ancient cultures holding these birds to be emissaries from the gods. Different stories have trickled down generations carrying with them their own versions of bird tales.
Most communities now have beliefs centered on birds; some are global, while others are localized, and it appears that no one can agree on whether birds represent good or bad fate. This is because all the associations are man-made based on individual perceptions.
Some birds are said to be an omen of bad luck, while other birds are said to bring good fortune and happiness. With no scientific evidence present, both good and bad connotations are no less than myths. They may, however, serve as reminders that we need to get our life on track.
Do Birds Bring Good or Bad Luck?
Before you delve into which birds bring fortune or misfortune, remember that these are mere myths.
The associations have been driven by the birds’ behavior, habitat, appearance, or eating habitats. For example, while some believe doves bring peace because of their white color, others think black makes ravens a representation of death and illness.
The links that people have created have no evidence involved. What’s more, is that these connections are not even universal. Different cultures have different perceptions about how they interpret the birds’ color or behavior. The lack of generic meanings or agreement reiterates the lack of actuality in these symbolisms.
In addition, what happens in your life is a result of the experiences, emotions, and events you have. It is doubtful that sighting a bird can change the course of life that you worked so hard to build, or even otherwise. A failing student, for example, is not going to be suddenly blessed just because they saw an owl.
However, seeing the birds can inspire you or help you bring things into perspective due to the symbolism you have attached to them.
You will still be the agent of change. For example, seeing a dove can calm you down when you are fighting with a colleague. This was not because it brought happiness or peace but because it served as a reminder that helped you generate peace within.
That being said, read to find out about birds that have symbolism connected to them. However, how they can help you is entirely dependent on yourself.
Birds That Bring Good Luck
Birds have been extensively featured as signs of good luck because they are typically considered emblems of love and peace - two things everybody wants in abundance. Therefore, birds like robins, woodpeckers, owls, ducks, and magpies are seen as symbols of good luck.
1. Robins
The robin is a little bird that is approximately 14cm in length. It can be found all around Europe. This bird is well-known in English and French culture. The plumage of this bird is a mix of white, grey, brown, and orange.
DID YOU KNOW?
Robin is seen as a Christmas emblem.
Despite its diminutive size, it is full of symbolism. Robin birds are often associated with hope and revival and an indication of good things to come. It is said that if you make a wish when you see a robin, your wish will come true soon.
Since seeing a robin implies that you will soon have some good fortune, it might serve as an excellent reminder to stay optimistic and seize opportunities that come your way. You might not want to stay in the illusion that good things will happen on their own.
2. Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers have long been associated with riches, reproduction, joy, health, shelter from evil spirits, and ill luck.
In some cultures, the appearance of a woodpecker provides excitement and happiness to those who see it, and it also indicates that someone will receive a present or money from someone else soon.
These little birds are known for their unique activity of aggressively piercing tree trunks or branches with their beaks.
Pecking at the tree trunks makes a sound similar to that of a drumbeat closely tied to a heartbeat. While the sound or sight may not make anything actually happen, it may remind the listener to listen to their heart.
3. Owls
Owls are frequently connected with great luck, intelligence, and prosperity. The owl’s power to see in the darkness is thought by some to be a guarantee of security from evil forces. The owl was seen as an animal guide of grandeur, achievement, and triumph by the Greeks.
They represent the night protector in some traditions and indicate that someone is keeping an eye on you. While this may not be actually true, it can still instill a sense of security within you. And, who doesn’t appreciate a good night’s sleep feeling protected!
4. Ducks
Ducks are considered to be emblems of wealth, success, and good fortune. They are also a symbol of love and dedication. As a result, they’re frequently turned into small sculptures or paintings that people keep in their homes to inspire love, loyalty, and faithfulness.
Many people believe that hearing a duck quack indicates that growth and abundance are on the way. Although it seems unlikely that the ducks will make things improve in your life, however, seeing or hearing a duck is a sign of hope.
5. Magpies
This magnificent looking bird, which usually has black, white, and royal blue coloration, is well known in numerous Asian cultures as a symbol of lifelong happiness, affection, and fortune.
They have also been linked to several myths about the beginning of a better and flourishing romantic connection. Seeing a magpie can motivate you to look into your current relationships and develop deeper bonds.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Magpie's habit of stealing food and decorations for their nests also negatively connotates them as a symbol of deviousness and deception.
6. Rooster
The adult male chicken (rooster) denotes courage, manhood, power, and awareness. It is known to mount high platforms to assert its authority over a region before crowing. The sighting can therefore remind you to become more assertive and take charge of your life.
It is famous for its distinctive habit of waking everyone up immediately before the crack of the morning. This energetic and territorial species is a sign of wealth, success, and good fortune, with the capacity to drive away darkness from people’s homes.
Hearing or seeing a rooster can encourage you to have fresher mornings leaving behind last night’s problems.
7. Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are tiny birds that are distinguished by their size, bright plumage, and quick movement. If you spot one of them during the course of your life, it can inspire you to build a passion for pleasure. In addition, with their lifestyle and behavior, these birds can improve our energy levels.
People frequently feel that witnessing one indicates that your endeavors will be successful. Yet, despite their modest size, they accomplish a great deal. They can therefore inspire you to start chasing your dreams, even if they seem unreachable.
Birds That Bring Bad Luck
There are a lot of different traditions and ideas about how birds affect people’s lives, and it’s hard to know what’s accurate and what isn’t.
Just like some cultures think birds bring good luck, they also believe that some bird species portend disaster.
1. Ravens
Ravens are birds associated with bad luck and tragedy. Many nations had diverse perspectives on ravens, but they all agreed that they had a terrible connotation.
Certain Native American tribes thought ravens brought sadness and suffering, while others, such as the Japanese, believed that they would be cursed for seven years if a raven interacted with someone.
2. Crow
Crows are thought to bring ill luck for the longest time in history. A crow was the messenger of death in Greek mythology, and it was related to ceremonies for cleaning from impurity after death.
Crows were supposed to be creatures that saw into the future or the spirits of individuals who had died at sea in Norse culture.
Crows are associated with numerous superstitions. If a crow crosses your route, for instance, it is stated that you will have terrible luck for the rest of the day.
If one settles on your shoulder, it foreshadows the death of someone dear to you. In addition, some think they are responsible for death and misery in general.
DID YOU KNOW?
Seeing a dead crow on the road is believed to bring you bad luck.
3. BlackBird
Apollo is said to have sent a disease to penalize King Midas for his lack of appreciation to the god by changing everything he touched into gold in Greek mythology. Since a blackbird was thought to be a harbinger for illness and misery, it was dispatched to convey this punishment.
In ancient cultures such as Egypt and Greece, blackbirds were considered a symbol of darkness and turmoil. These negative connotations are mainly derived from the bird’s appearance and how people view the black color.
4. Vulture
Vultures are commonly associated with death in many traditions. For example, the Egyptians considered the vulture to embody the god Anubis, who oversaw preservation and mummification. Vultures are also regarded as bad luck by several South African tribes, who link them with death since they devour decaying meat.
The vultures are equated to death because of their feeding habits. This is their role in the ecosystem, and how that would negatively impact humans seems unreal. If anything, instead, it should be a way to motivate yourself that you will sometimes have to do seemingly unpleasant things.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some Native American tribes believe that if a person witnesses a lone vulture flying in the sky, it indicates someone is about to die.
5. Buzzard
Buzzards are associated with bad luck in several cultures for a variety of reasons. For example, if a bird flies over someone’s head, the Aborigines believe it is an omen that something dreadful would come shortly.
Native Americans thought they were witches flying around casting spells on people, while the Yoruba of Nigeria regarded them as death omens.
6. Whip-poor-will
The night animals of folklore are the subject of numerous stories and fears. The Whip-poor-will is one such bird, which has long been seen as a sign of bad luck.
If you spot one late at night, its cry suggests the arrival of tragedy. Others say it’s an indication that someone will die soon, and some even feel that seeing this bird will kill them, so they avoid hearing its cry in the night when most other birds are quiet.
7. Owl
Owls have their fair share of good and bad luck both. However, while they are perceived as birds who bring good luck, they are also drawn to superstitions or myths that link with bad luck.
Owls are frequently associated with ill fortune since they signify death and a bleak future. In numerous civilizations, they have been connected with bad luck, but what is the substance behind these legends? For example, an owl was said to harm persons who were not correctly buried in Egyptian Civilization.
In current times, some individuals believe that seeing an owl outside your window during the daytime portends approaching death in the family. In contrast, others believe that seeing an owl outside your window indicates bad luck regardless of the time.
8. Magpie
In many traditions, magpies are associated with bad luck. This is because they are frequently perceived as wicked or as causing death and destruction. The belief dates back to the Roman Empire when magpies were regarded as “birds of doom”.
Another legend holds that the sound of a magpie’s call resembles “many sorrows” and hence represents death. It was thought that seeing one would result in one’s death soon after. Therefore, they linked them to spirits as well.
Keep Reading!
Often colors, plants, and animals are seen as a symbolism for unforeseen revelation. While the symbolism is derived from its appearance or experiences attached to it, there is no guarantee of it happening. These are all man-made traditions that have naturally passed on through generations.
As you may have read above, birds like owls and magpies represent both good and bad luck. This makes it evident that in the end, it is about how you perceive things in front of you and what impact do you want them to bring into your life.
Knowing what the birds signify is good but do not let yourselves depend on what they represent. Instead, let them be mere symbols that help you take charge.
If you’re still curious, read this post to understand what does seeing multiple crows mean.
Have you ever witnessed crows around your home or when you are out? Let’s find out what looking at more than 2 crows means.
By
David A. Swanson
Bird Watching USA
My name is David and I'm the the founder of Bird Watching USA! I started Bird Watching with My father-in-law many years ago, and I've become an addict to watching these beautiful creatures. I've learnt so much over about bird watching over the years that I want to share with the world everything I know about them!
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