Buzz
Birds are among the most remarkable animals on our planet, yet there are numerous misconceptions about them. From their intelligence to their social behavior, many common beliefs about birds simply aren't true. These myths can shape how we perceive and interact with these incredible creatures. In this article, we will clear up some of the most popular misconceptions about birds, distinguishing between myths and reality to offer you a more accurate view of the avian world.
Prepare to challenge your assumptions about our feathered friends!
10. Ostriches Bury Their Heads in the Sand
Contrary to what cartoons like Looney Tunes might suggest, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand when they are scared.
This myth is thought to have originated in ancient Rome, when Pliny the Elder described observing large birds 'thrust their head and neck into a bush, so that their entire body was hidden.' Pliny’s account was partly accurate—ostriches don’t bury their heads to escape danger, but they do dig holes to cover their eggs. It’s possible that Pliny and other early scholars mistook the ostrich's head-in-the-ground behavior as an attempt to hide, when in fact it was to check on their eggs.
Interestingly, ostriches have a unique way of responding to threats. According to the Cleveland Zoological Society, an ostrich that senses danger will often drop to the ground and try to blend in with the environment.
9. Owls Can Rotate Their Heads 360 Degrees
Much like parents or teachers, owls seem to have eyes everywhere. While they possess incredible vision and hearing, the myth that they can rotate their heads a full 360 degrees, as often seen in cartoons, is not true. Since their eyes are fixed in place, they cannot move them, and must rotate their entire heads to view their surroundings.
Owls do, however, have highly flexible necks that allow them to rotate their heads up to 270 degrees, which is still quite impressive! But fully spinning their head around would be impossible without causing serious damage to blood vessels or tendons.
8. Eugene Schieffelin Tried to Release a Bird from Every Shakespeare Play
In the 1890s, Central Park set out to enrich its newly developed grounds with more plant and animal life. Although we now understand that introducing non-native species can have harmful effects, ornithologist Eugene Schieffelin didn’t know this when he proposed releasing 60 starlings from London into New York’s largest park.
According to legend, Schieffelin's plan was to release every bird species mentioned in William Shakespeare’s plays into North America. However, historians question this theory, as there is no substantial evidence supporting it until the 1940s when naturalist Edwin Way Teale put forth this idea. He also suggested that Schieffelin was inspired by Central Park’s Shakespeare Garden, which features plants from each of Shakespeare’s works. However, the garden wasn’t established until after Schieffelin's death, making it impossible for him to have been influenced by it.
7. Parrots Can Talk
This one’s a bit more complicated. While parrots can mimic sounds and produce noises that resemble words and phrases, they aren’t truly 'talking' in the conventional sense of the term.
Parrots are known for their remarkable ability to imitate human speech, which often results in amusing (and occasionally unsettling) moments where it seems as though a parrot is conversing with its owner. However, the truth is that parrots are simply repeating what they've heard and associating those sounds with particular circumstances. For instance, if a human consistently says 'hello' when entering a room, the parrot may begin to do the same.
But if you hear your African Grey calling you 'stupid', don’t take it personally. The bird is likely just mimicking something it heard someone else say first.
6. Rice Can Be Dangerous for Birds
The tradition of throwing rice at weddings has declined in recent years, partly due to the misconception that it poses a threat to birds. The myth suggests that when birds consume raw rice, it expands in their stomachs and causes harm or even death. While rice does expand when ingested, studies show that birds’ digestive systems can easily handle rice and other similar foods.
In fact, many bird species naturally eat grains like rice in the wild. Despite debunking the myth, many wedding venues still prohibit rice-throwing, mainly due to the mess it creates. While the birds might help by eating the rice, someone still has to clean up the resulting bird droppings.
5. Owls Are Exceptionally Intelligent
Characters like Owl from *Winnie the Pooh* and the scholarly thief from the famous Tootsie Roll commercial have contributed to the misconception that owls are some of the smartest birds. However, this is not the case.
Unlike crows and pigeons, owls are not particularly easy to train due to their stubborn nature. Experts believe that owls lack the mental capabilities seen in other bird species, like those capable of mimicking calls or associating objects with words. So, why are owls often linked with intelligence? It likely has to do with their facial structure. With both eyes facing forward, they appear human-like, and their intense gaze often gives the impression that they are attentively listening.
While owls are clever in their own right, particularly when it comes to their impressive hunting abilities, they don't rank as high in intelligence by human standards.
4. Humans Should Never Touch Baby Birds
Good news! If you find a baby bird that has fallen from its tree, you don’t need to leave it behind. You can safely return the little one to its nest without worrying about the mother rejecting it.
The myth that a mother bird will abandon her offspring if touched by humans has been circulating for years, but it's completely false. While it's generally best not to handle wild animals, even those that seem in distress, wildlife experts have confirmed that very few animals will forsake their young simply because they’ve been touched by a human.
In fact, birds generally don’t have a strong sense of smell. What might prevent the mother bird from returning is the disturbance to her nest, as she may leave her eggs or chicks if their home is disturbed or destroyed.
3. Dodos Were Not Stupid
Next time someone insults you by saying you're 'dumb as a dodo,' remember, the dodo was actually smarter than most birds.
Though the dodo bird may seem comical with its large beak and plump body, it’s often mocked for its supposed lack of intelligence. However, this portrayal is far from accurate. Dodos belong to the same family as pigeons, birds that are known for their intelligence and trainability (just think of carrier pigeons).
So, how did the dodo come to be considered the Patrick Star of the animal kingdom? The truth is, it's a tragic tale. Unlike many other birds, dodos evolved in isolation without many predators, leading to a lack of fear of humans. This, coupled with their inability to fly, made them easy targets for hunting.
One account by shipwrecked mariner Volkert Evertsz describes how the birds would approach sailors to greet them. After one dodo was killed, others would rush to help, making themselves easy targets as well.
2. Feeding Birds in the Fall Will Stop Migration
The myth that feeding birds in the fall will prevent them from migrating is simply not true.
Don’t rush to move that bird feeder to the garage just yet. It’s perfectly fine to feed birds year-round, despite the common myth that it will stop them from migrating.
Many birds migrate to warmer regions in the fall, seeking both warmth and more abundant resources. There’s a misconception that feeding birds will keep them in the area until it becomes too cold, leading to their death. This idea is false because migrating birds leave in search of more sunlight, not simply more food. By the time the days get noticeably shorter, birds will leave regardless of how much food is available.
In fact, feeding birds in the fall can be beneficial for their migration. The extra food helps them store energy in their bodies, which can then be used to fuel their long journey.
1. Bald Eagles Don’t Sound as Powerful as You Think
The bald eagle is closely associated with the United States, symbolizing strength and freedom. However, the piercing screech we often associate with this majestic bird isn’t actually the sound they make.
Similar to how Disney used tiger roars instead of lions' in The Lion King, many TV shows and films substitute the cry of a bald eagle with that of a red-tailed hawk. At some point, it was decided that the eagle’s call wasn’t majestic enough to represent such an iconic American bird, so the hawk’s more dramatic cry took over. In reality, the sound bald eagles make is quite weak—more of a high-pitched whistle that is often compared to the scream of a seagull.
