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Sydney Daniels

birth birds

Everyone has heard of their birth stone, birth flower, birth sign, or any other weird holiday that takes place on their birthday, but do you know what your birth bird is? As you read through this list, let me know if you think your birth bird suits you. Is there a bird you think belongs on this list?


This list is compiled from a few different resources and are very general in their assignments, much like birth flowers only go to a genus level and not species.



January - Owl

As the oldest in our calendar, it is no surprise that January's birth bird is an owl, representing those who are cunning and wise. Owls are also formidable creatures since they are birds of prey and have mastered their unique hunting techniques.


So far, I have only ever seen one owl, an Eastern Screech Owl who lives on campus. Growing up, I was taught a number of owl calls in hopes of talking to them in the forest, but that could easily have been a camp counsellor tactic to keep us engaged on a night hike. That said, it would be a dream come true to see more owls in the wild.



February - Parrot or Indigo Bunting

Being a February baby myself, I was pleased to see what my birth birds were. Having a birthday in February was not always the best as a kid, but I do believe I have the best stone, flower, sign, and now birds.


Parrots are found in all shapes and sizes around the world, but there are few parrots that don't have colourful, vibrant, and big personalities. Parrots are also incredibly intelligent as we know domestic parrots can be taught to speak English.



Seeing the Indigo Bunting was also listed as one of February's birth birds felt right. Blue is my favourite colour because I see that colour reflected through different parts of myself and my personality. February is the beginning of Pisces season which is symbolized as a fish and are known for their love of water and wisdom as they are the oldest in the zodiac. In my mind, February is blue (you cannot argue that with me).


That said, Indigo Buntings, as well as all other "blue" birds, don't actually contain the blue pigment in their feathers. Since blue is not a naturally occurring colour, their blue tint comes from the same refractive microscopic structures in their feathers that reflect blue light, the same way we see the sky as "blue".



March - Robin

The first signs of spring appear as the robins return from their migration. This is a very fitting bird for March as we begin to thaw in the Northern hemisphere. Because of this, robins symbolize warmth as the sun comes out a bit longer each day leading up to summer.


Robins are known not only for their introduction to spring, but for their nests and eggs, which makes sense since robins can produce three successful broods in a single season, if they're lucky. Robins are also ravenous eaters, famously pulling worms in the spring and then turning to seeds and fruit in the colder months.


Fun fact, robins can sometimes over-indulge in honeysuckle and can become intoxicated.



April - Canary or Wilson's Warbler

While robins may be the first sign of spring, canaries are also symbolic to Easter since they are the bird used to model 'Peeps'. These bright yellow songbirds give off a cheerful spirit. Yellow Canaries are also great companions since they are one of the most popular pet songbirds in the world.


The Wilson's Warbler has a similar look to the Yellow Canary being both tiny, bright yellow birds, except the males have a black patch on top of their head, almost as if they were wearing a toupee.



May - Nightingale

People born in May are not always trusted since May hosts both Taurus and Gemini in the zodiac calendar. While there are definitely outliers to these stereotypes (my partner and childhood best friend are both Geminis), they are typically elusive people, which makes sense as to why nightingales are their birth bird.


That said, nightingales are also extremely resilient and fit birds having an intense migration route. They can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia, and all migrate south parts of Africa. It is thought that nightingales cross the Mediterranean AND the Sahara in one flight.



June - Dove

Known as a symbol of peace, tranquility, and calm, Doves are the birth bird for the month of June. Mourning Doves are the most common dove species in Ontario, chances are you have likely heard their iconic coos early in the morning during the spring and summer. They are docile birds with large stomachs, eating anywhere from 12-20% of their body weight each day.


Rock Doves (or Rock Pigeons) are also a fitting representation of June since it is Pride Month. Rock Doves are one of the numerous species known to exhibit same-sex partnerships from both male and female birds.



July - Eagle

Something tells me this list is very American-centric since an eagle is the birth bird for July... Nonetheless, eagles are known for their regalness, pride, and fierce personalities. As one of the most famous birds of prey, it is no surprise that eagles take July as it is also the beginning of Leo season in the zodiac, who are typically known for their natural leadership, drive, and main character energy.


Bald Eagles are not only stoic creatures, but equally resourceful. They are typically found near large bodies of water so they can fish, or more accurately to watch other's fish. Bald Eagles tend to go after other birds, like Osprey, to try and steal their catch that gets dropped in midair, or directly from their talons.



August - Kingfisher

While August zodiac signs are both Fire and Earth signs, it's safe to say everyone is drawn to the water in August since it is the end of summer and peak cottage season. Fittingly, kingfishers are August's birth bird.


Belted Kingfishers are common around Waterloo Region in the spring and summer, which are one of the few bird species where the female has brighter colours than the male. They are also notorious wanderers, ending up anywhere in the Galapagos, Hawaii, or even Greenland.



September - Hawk

Everyone wants to look their best at the beginning of the school year, which is why hawks are a perfect fit as September's birth bird with this striking appearance. One of my core memories from starting second year was visiting a campfire on campus with my new roommates and having a Red-tailed Hawk join the party.


Hawks are observant, loyal, and protective creatures. Similarly to Virgos, they also possess some main character energy, but are much more subtle and humble compared to our Eagle/Leo friends in July. In most movies when you hear the classic "eagle cry", you are actually listening to a Red-tailed Hawk shrill.



October - Swan

Swans are known to be graceful and romantic while being fiercely protective birds. While many's first thought of October goes to Halloween, October is when fall comes in full force. The coziness of fall activities and traditions have given October the reputation of "cuffing season". Fittingly, most swans are known to mate for life.


There are three species of swans that can be found in Ontario, all at different points in the year. If you've ever seen a swan, chances are you saw a Mute Swan with their distinguishable orange beak. Trumpeter Swans and Tundra Swans have a similar appearance, but with a slight variation on the Tundra Swan's beak: they have a small yellow marking above their mouths.



November - Rooster or Kestrel

This month's birds are interesting choices. On one hand, we have roosters who are stand-out birds with bright colours, attention-grabbing facial features, and vociferous calls early in the morning. Kestrels on the other hand, are small but mighty falcons who are skillful hunters.


One thing both of these birds have in common is that they have both adapted to urban environments. Kestrels can be found nesting on tall apartment buildings or hunting during evening sporting events. Roosters are domesticated versions Red Jungle Fowl used mainly as livestock on farms. Regardless, both of these birds have tenacious personalities, much like most November babies I've met.



December - Raven

December typically brings up both images of warmth and cold. The warmth of the holiday season as well as the cold from winter as days get shorter and darker. Ravens are similar to some of the holidays most popular characters as well. They are known as historical figures similarly to Santa, while also being tricksters like the Grinch.


Nonetheless, ravens are unknowingly brilliant. They can learn to recognize sounds of other birds and mimic their calls. One captive Common Raven managed to learn and repeat the word "nevermore", which just so happens to be the boarding school in the Addams Family spinoff, 'Wednesday', which is largely inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poetry.


Do you think your birth bird suits you?

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