Bird meanings and messages

exploring your favorite birds as signs from spirit

We met Fluffy the Owl outside of Edinburgh Castle last summer.

I’ve always felt a connection to birds; they seem to be written into the story of my life. Growing up, we lived on Robin Road, Raven Road, and a place called Heron Bay, all before I graduated Highschool. We had many birds as pets; my first bird companions were Masui and Larry Bird. The former later changed to Lori Bird when we discovered she was female. I marveled at their behavior and comedic timing. With their little feet curled around my finger, beaks nibbling at my fingernails, I felt like I was holding pure magic. The Electric Curtain is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Every season of my life, there seems to be a bird theme or connection. I wonder if it’s the same for you? Is everyone noticing a pattern of connectedness to birds? I also wonder how they perceive me. 

When I was changing careers several years ago, I began to see hawks everywhere. I didn’t look for them, but I began to notice them daily. They swooped low over my car, close enough for me to see the white feathers of their underbelly.

The sightings escalated until the week I quit my job. A hawk flew straight into my office window. As I stared in horror, examining its beautiful lifeless body, I had one thought “Okay, that’s enough. I will make a change, I will listen.” 

Chances are you also see birds as signs. It’s common in a mediumship session to have this mentioned as evidence. A loved one that’s associated with a particular bird. After my Grandmother passed, I started seeing cardinals everywhere. The year I met Rachel, we were swarmed by bluejays. They peeked in our windows and even aggressively swooped close to us on our morning walks.

Then there were the Ravens at the Tower of London that followed me around. When we returned home, one began nesting outside my office and another outside our home.

Ravens at the Tower of London

This season it is herons. Since our dog Bella passed to spirit, we have had incredible Heron sightings. I will share more about them in another article because, for now, the saga is ongoing. 

But it got me thinking. What’s the formula I use to assign meaning to the birds that guide me through the seasons of my life? I instinctively know their message,  but how can that translate to you? To the rest of the world because we are all connected in this.

As I write this, I sit surrounded by curious wrens peering at me from the trees circling the gazebo in my parent's yard. They hop closer and closer in comical popcorn-like movements that seem to urge, yes, do tell us what each bird symbolizes. 

So here is a list — let's call it part one because so many are left off this list! Common bird sightings and what they can mean. I hope this helps you to connect to the magic of your sightings and synchronicities. Maybe this will even be the beginning of a realization. 

Birds and their possible meanings

Bluebird: “Oh, Mr. Bluebird, on my shoulder! It’s the truth, it’s actual, and everything is satisfactual!” These little guys are so sweet, not to be confused with the Jays. Bluebirds symbolize joy, hope, and good news. They are a favorite of cheery people who like to sing zip-a-dee-doo-da.  

Blue Jay: Have you ever seen birds coordinate an attack? These guys operate with military precision, seriously. They communicate more than most birds, do a hyper-realistic hawk imitation to warm their families, and, yes, they attack other birds. They are beautiful and also vocal, aggressive, and territorial. Blue Jays symbolize precision, communication, and clarity. They can be associated with type A personalities and cheekiness. 

Dove: This also includes pigeons! Yes, pigeons are the same species as doves despite starkly different treatment by people. Doves often signify peace and healing. They make a sweet cooing sound to communicate and can recognize different human faces. They are curious and docile, often skittish. They have ancient religious associations and have long been cohabitating with us. I associate doves and pigeons with compassion and healing. Next time you see a pigeon, please remember they deserve your love and respect as well. They tend to get a bad rap for being “dirty,” but that’s due to crowded cities. The birds themselves are lovely and sweet.

Cardinal: This bird is famously associated with passed loved ones, perhaps because of their sweet nature, sing-song tunes, and rarity of sightings. These small red birds are common in North America but hard to spot. If you’ve ever had one come close to you on a winter day, you might be struck by the color and magical feeling they invoke. Seeing cardinals as a sign from spirit might seem trendy or common, but there’s a good reason for it. These gentle, loving birds make lovely partners to work in cooperation with the spirit world.

Goldfinch: Once you look for them, these birds are easy to spot in North America. Look in lighter-colored trees as they love to camouflage. They have a beautiful sound that associates them with talent and creativity. They build their nests at the end of long branches of swaying trees which could symbolize lending flexibility and strength. The color yellow or gold is symbolic of joy, harmony, and spiritual abundance.

Hawk: Like many birds of prey, hawks are associated with strength and protection. Their keen eyesight allows them to “see the forest through the trees” and focus on the bigger picture. The precise nature of the hawk also makes me think of important maneuvers, legal matters, and business decisions.

Heron: You can find these birds by a river, lake, or stream. They are prolific fishes, and seeing them signifies abundance and prosperity. This was especially true for fishing communities that drew their food source or income from the industry. Where they appear, the fish are bountiful. For this, they can be associated with good luck and prosperity—a favorite of deep thinkers, slow movers, and those who love eye contact.

Owl: Their large eyes, almost appearing to be spectacled, have added to the reputation of the owl's wisdom. A group of owls is even called a parliament. This originates from C.S. Lewis’ description of a meeting of owls in The Chronicles of Narnia. Their eyes give them binocular-like vision, and they have incredible hearing as well. Combined with the ability to turn their heads 270 degrees, you can be sure the owl sees all. They can spot prey a half a mile away. They are a wise and protective symbol, a favorite of voracious readers, mothers, and grievers who appreciate their low mournful song.

Raven: I have wanted a Raven companion since I saw one perched on Maleficent’s hand in Disney’s sleeping beauty. These birds have long partnered with humans to act as messengers and, some would say, spies. They are prominently mentioned in religious texts, mythology, and folklore — associated with prophecy and thought to carry messages from the other side. I’m honored to have two nesting outside my office and thrilled when they swoop low by my window. They have a massive wing span which is one way to tell the difference between a raven and a crow. They also have a hunch to them, ruffled feathers around the neck, and they make a unique croaking call. These birds are a favorite of lovers of mysticism and the occult.

If you enjoyed these meanings, comment and let me know 💫

I’m considering putting together a part two to include more favorite bird messengers. I’d love to know: what birds you see often, and what magical meaning does it hold for you?

With Love,

Sheryl

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