A 2022 study published in Scientific Reports revealed that simply seeing or hearing birds can significantly boost mental well-being, even for those with depression.1 This finding comes as birdwatching experiences a remarkable surge, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reporting a staggering 96 million American engaged in the activity in 2022. 2
As backyard birding captivates a growing audience, here are 12 common birds you would often find in your backyard and the intriguing meanings often associated with them.
1. American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
American Robins are one of the most familiar backyard birds across North America. With their bright orange-red breasts and cheerful songs, these thrushes are often seen as harbingers of spring. Robins symbolize new beginnings, renewal, and hope in many cultures.
2. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
The vibrant red plumage of male Northern Cardinals makes them a striking sight in any backyard. These birds are often associated with vitality, importance, and good fortune. In some beliefs, spotting a cardinal is thought to be a message from a departed loved one.
3. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
Blue Jays are known for their intelligence and bold personalities. With their striking blue plumage and noisy calls, these birds are hard to miss. Blue Jays are often seen as symbols of communication, assertiveness, and loyalty.
4. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
These small, friendly birds are known for their distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call. Chickadees symbolize cheerfulness, curiosity, and adaptability. Their ability to remember thousands of food storage locations showcases their remarkable intelligence.
5. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Known for their soft cooing calls, Mourning Doves are symbols of peace, love, and tranquility. These gentle birds mate for life, making them representations of fidelity and devotion.
6. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Adaptable and widespread, House Sparrows are common backyard visitors across North America. Their ability to thrive in various environments has made them symbols of adaptability and perseverance. However, their non-native status has also led to controversy among conservationists.(ref)
7. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
While not a typical feeder visitor, Red-tailed Hawks may be seen soaring above backyards. These majestic birds of prey are often associated with freedom and perspective. Native American traditions view hawks as messengers from the spirit world.
8. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
These tiny, iridescent birds are marvels of nature with their ability to hover and fly backwards. Hummingbirds often represent joy, adaptability, and the ability to find sweetness in life.
9. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Often misunderstood, crows are highly intelligent birds with complex social structures. Their presence in folklore across cultures has led to various interpretations, from harbingers of change to protectors of the realm between the living and the dead.
Crows’ problem-solving abilities and use of tools continue to impress researchers.
10. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Although less common in urban settings, Great Horned Owls can sometimes be spotted in backyards with mature trees. Revered for their piercing gaze and nocturnal habits, owls have long been associated with wisdom and intuition in various mythologies.
11. American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
With their bright yellow plumage in spring and summer, American Goldfinches bring a splash of color to backyards. These birds are often associated with joy, optimism, and positive energy.
12. House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
House Finches are common backyard visitors, with males sporting red heads and breasts. These adaptable birds symbolize resilience, harmony, and domestic happiness.
Source:
1. Nature Scientific Reports
2. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.