10 Intriguing Bird Superstitions Unveiled

Throughout history, humans have attributed profound significance to the behaviors and existence of birds. Nikographer (Jon)/Getty Images

Ancient civilizations revered birds as divine entities, viewing them as messengers or embodiments of the gods. This sacred association, combined with their ability to fly high above, has cemented their almost mythical status. As a result, birds have become central figures in superstitions surrounding life, death, and fortune.

Although many bird-related superstitions are universally recognized, symbolizing either good or bad luck across cultures, others are distinctly regional, offering redemption to species despised elsewhere. Interestingly, some age-old bird beliefs contradict each other, portraying a species as auspicious in one area and ominous in another.

At times, it's not the bird itself but its behavior that determines whether it brings good fortune or bad luck. While this might seem perplexing, it allows us to navigate unfortunate encounters with birds while embracing those believed to bring a stroke of luck. Discover the origins of bird superstitions and explore which ones continue to shape our lives today.

10: Ravens Are Linked to Britain's Downfall

Ravens, particularly those residing at the Tower of London, have long fascinated the public. Paul Windsor/Getty Images

For hundreds of years, six ravens, known as the "Guardians of the Tower," have enjoyed a sheltered existence at the Tower of London. In the 1600s, King Charles II declared that if these ravens ever departed, the tower would fall, leading to the collapse of the British Empire.

Some find it peculiar, as ravens and other black-feathered birds are typically linked to misfortune rather than good fortune. Nevertheless, since that time, the ravens have been cherished residents of the tower, tasked with safeguarding the legacy of the once-powerful empire. Today, their wings are trimmed to ensure they stay, and additional ravens are kept on standby to maintain a minimum of six birds at all times.

This precaution proved crucial in 2013 when a cunning fox infiltrated the tower and killed two ravens, Jubilee and Grip. The British hold this superstition — and the danger posed by clever foxes — in such high regard that a dedicated team of four tends to the birds 24/7, providing them with a life of luxury [source: BBC]. What more could a bird desire?

9: Bird Droppings? A Sign of Good Fortune

Snow-covered mountains? Not quite. The Los Islotes islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez are instead coated in bird excrement. Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images

Imagine you're walking outside during lunch when, out of nowhere, a bird leaves a messy deposit on your head. While this might seem like the beginning of a terrible day, those who believe in superstitions consider it a stroke of good luck. The best part? You can clean it off without losing your newfound fortune—unless you're on a ship. Sailors insist that bird droppings should remain on the vessel until the next rain, which naturally washes most of it away [source: Martinelli]. Interestingly, some even use bird droppings as a skin treatment!

Although bird droppings are generally seen as a good omen, certain British folklore suggests that if the droppings come from a rook, it’s a form of punishment rather than a blessing. According to these tales, being targeted by a rook’s droppings is retribution for not wearing new clothes on Easter [source: Tate]. Perhaps it’s a sign to update your wardrobe with a fresh Sunday suit.

8: Birds In or Near Homes Signal Trouble

Whether inside or near your home, could birds be aware of something you’re not? Grant Faint/Getty Images

Should a wild bird find its way into your home — whether through a door, window, or chimney — it’s believed to bring a streak of misfortune, with some legends even suggesting it predicts a death in the household. To ward off such bad luck and tragedy, it’s advised to keep birds, and even their images, far from your living space. This includes avoiding bird-themed wallpaper, dishes, or artwork, as these too can invite doom. Notably, actress Lucille Ball

of "I Love Lucy" was so wary of this superstition that she avoided staying in hotels adorned with bird motifs or decorations [source: Mikkelson].

This belief also extends to injured or sick birds; never bring them inside. If you must care for them, do so outdoors, as tradition warns that bringing them into your home invites danger [source: The Diagram Group]. However, even the most cautious individuals can’t escape all bird-related ill omens. Blackbirds, often viewed as harbingers of death, can bring misfortune simply by lingering near your home. Similarly, herons, bitterns, and crows circling your property are also thought to signal bad news or impending death [source: Webster].

7: Collisions Between Cars and Birds Hold Ominous Significance

While most car-bird collisions involve small birds hitting windshields, the large Australian cassowary can inflict significant damage. Jeffrey Smith/Getty Images

A bird colliding with your car windshield is widely regarded as a harbinger of bad luck — for both you and the bird. While some view such accidents as mere luck-drainers, others interpret them as a forewarning of death. Regardless of personal beliefs, it’s noteworthy that approximately 80 million birds in the U.S. die annually from crashing into car windows, spreading no shortage of misfortune.

Although it’s logical that higher speeds increase the likelihood of bird-window collisions, studies show birds are adept at dodging cars — until vehicles surpass the speed of natural predators. Beyond this point, the bird’s instinctive evasion system fails, making it nearly inevitable for them to avoid your car. While this might not ease the task of cleaning feathers off your windshield, it offers some reassurance that the incident isn’t personal [source: Ball].

6: Bird Flight Patterns Foretell What’s to Come

The ancient Romans practiced augury, attempting to predict the future by studying the flight patterns of birds. Akin Can Senol/EyeEm/Getty Images

The ancient Romans relied on observing bird flight patterns to guide their decisions about the future. Believing birds communicated with the gods as they soared above, it seemed logical they could offer insights to those grounded without divine access. This practice, known as auspicy, involved divining the future through bird behavior. (This is also the origin of the term "auspicious.")

An augur would position themselves in a sacred space, facing east, and observe the birds' flight direction. Birds moving to the right signaled positivity, while those flying left urged caution. A bird approaching the augur indicated good fortune, whereas one flying away suggested missed opportunities. Higher-flying birds promised a bright future, while low-flying ones warned of impending troubles [source: Webster]. However, this superstition was prone to misinterpretation, depending on the observer’s location, stance, and ability to discern direction at a glance.

5: Albatrosses - A Symbol of Fortune or Misfortune?

In superstition, the albatross can represent either good or bad luck, depending on the circumstances. Auscape/Getty Images

Sailors have countless superstitions to ensure safety on the unpredictable seas. Psychologists suggest these beliefs, often centered on avoiding misfortune, arise from the inherent risks of sea travel, where so much lies beyond a crew’s control.

For sailors, spotting an albatross at sea is considered a harbinger of good fortune, whereas harming one is believed to invite disaster. The albatross, known for its endurance, often trails ships in search of food scraps, persisting far longer than other birds before returning to land.

The albatross’s ability to glide vast distances without flapping its wings, riding wind currents effortlessly, led sailors to view them as otherworldly. They believed these birds carried the souls of deceased sailors, earning them deep reverence. Killing one was thought to curse both the crew and the vessel [source: Wells].

Those who harm an albatross are said to be cursed with a heavy burden — symbolized by the image of wearing the bird around one’s neck. This concept is vividly depicted in Coleridge’s poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," where the narrator’s act of killing an albatross brings calamity and death to his ship and crew.

As recently as 1959, a cargo ship crew refused to work after transporting a caged albatross that died during the voyage. The ship’s main generator failed, and its heating and hot water systems broke down. The captain told a local newspaper, "That albatross might be responsible for the strike. I was bold to bring that ... creature on board." [source: Toledo Blade]

4: Birdcalls Carry Deep Significance

According to superstition, the songs of birds hold the key to interpreting the world around us. Ger Bosma/Getty Images

Long before the advent of the Internet and 24-hour news, people relied on nature’s signals, including birdcalls, to gather information and predict future events. Seeking clarity and control, ancient societies turned to the natural world for guidance, interpreting the sounds and behaviors of birds as meaningful signs.

Folklore suggests that a songbird singing mid-flight brings good fortune, while a nocturnal bird calling during the day — or a bird of prey screeching at any time — signals bad luck. The direction of birdcalls also holds meaning: Calls from the north foretell tragedy, while those from the south predict a bountiful harvest. Eastern calls favor romance, and western calls promise general good luck.

Crow calls, however, are universally ominous, regardless of direction — unless the crow is near its nest. If a crow caws three times consecutively, take heed: It’s believed to signal an impending death [source: The Diagram Group].

3: Birds Pecking at Windows Herald Death

A goldfinch at your window is likely battling its reflection, not foretelling doom. Rebecca Nelson/Getty Images

Each year, between 365 million and 1 billion birds die from colliding with windows on buildings or homes [source: American Bird Conservancy]. While these accidents are tragic and messy, they aren’t inherently unlucky — except for the bird. However, if a bird deliberately pecks at your window, superstition warns it signifies death for someone in the household [source: The Diagram Group].

Thankfully, ornithologists offer a more scientific explanation for this behavior. Birds are territorial, and the aggressive pecking is merely an attempt to defend their territory from what they perceive as a rival — their own reflection. This is especially common among robins, cardinals, and other birds that live near humans. If you can endure the pecking, it usually stops after breeding season. Otherwise, covering windows with a clear plastic sheet can reduce reflections and discourage the behavior [source: Mass Audubon Collisions].

2: Decoding the Peacock's Omen

Do the eye-like patterns on a peacock’s tail hold meaning beyond their striking beauty? John Rucchetti/EyeEm/Getty Images

Opinions on the luck-bringing potential of peacock feathers vary globally. In many Western cultures, bringing a peacock feather indoors is considered unlucky: Unmarried women in the household may remain single, while others may face a streak of misfortune. The peacock feather’s bad reputation extends to the theater, where it’s often banned from costumes and sets due to its links to evil and bad luck.

Some link this negative perception to the eye-like patterns on the feathers, thought to intrude on privacy by surveilling the home and its inhabitants. Others connect it to the evil eye, often associated with death and malevolence [source: Oliver]. Additionally, some believe the peacock’s stunning feathers symbolize vanity, and bringing them indoors or using them in clothing or decor transfers this pride to the owner.

In Eastern cultures, especially in India, China, and Japan, peacock feathers are considered lucky. They are believed to add extra "eyes" around the home, enhancing security and safeguarding residents from harm and danger [source: Webster].

1: Crows Face Constant Superstition

A crow lingering near your home? These birds have long been central to numerous superstitions. Heaven's Gift xxx89/Getty Images

Certain birds are doomed to a negative reputation, regardless of their actions. They don’t need to peck at windows or enter homes to bring misfortune; their mere presence is enough to spell bad luck. Since the Greek god Apollo’s white crow turned black, these birds have been seen as harbingers of illness, death, and other unfortunate events.

According to superstition, a crow lingering near your home signals an unlucky future or even a death in the household. To ward off disaster, some suggest bowing or tipping your hat to the crow, regardless of what others might think. Spotting a lone crow? Consider making a wish, as some view a solitary crow as a powerful good luck charm [source: Webster].

Some tie specific numbers of crows to either good or bad fortune, often connecting these beliefs to the band Counting Crows. Ironically, the band’s name originates from an old English saying that life is "as useless as counting crows" — a phrase unrelated to luck or superstition [source: Darling].