BLOG 9: 'The Importance of Birds in History' by James O

Birds of Prey were used for hunting in the Middle Ages – for example, finding food and killing unwanted pests. Falcons and Hawks were trained to hunt small prey such as rabbits and other birds but they sometimes were trained to attack larger prey, like deer, distracting the animal so that the hunters and their dogs could kill it. People used to train Gyrfalcon, Goshawk and Sparrowhawk. A common bird for ladies to hunt with was the Peregrine Falcon. Peregrines do spectacular dives that can be around 200 mph - they are the fastest animal on Earth.

Birds used to be hunted for food before the Neolithic revolution and the development of agriculture. Their feathers were used to make soft bedding as well as eiderdowns that were made from the belly down of the eider duck. It was also used for winter clothing as they have high “loft”, trapping lots of air for their weight. Feathers were also used for quill pens, for fletching arrows and to decorate fishing lures. Bird bones were used by stone age people to make awls and other tools. Guano, the droppings of seabirds, has lots of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It was important as a fertiliser and is still used in farming today.

Feathers have been used to make colourful items of clothing and fashion. Cockfighting is an old spectator sport. It formed part of the culture of the ancient Indians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans. It is now banned in lots of countries.

Birds have been used as a symbol in many cultures. Owls are associated with bad luck, witchcraft and death in some parts of Africa but are thought to be wise in Europe. Hoopoes are considered religious in Ancient Egypt but were thought of as thieves in Europe and bringers of war in Scandinavia. Birds such as eagles often appear in Coats of Arms.

Birds have been used as gods from the time of ancient Egypt where the Ibis was thought to be a symbol of god. In India, the peacock is a symbol of earth. Birds have been seen as spirit messengers of gods. South American birds are thought to be the boundaries between Earth and underground realms. Doves have been a symbol of Ishtar, the goddess of love, fertility and war. Athena the goddess of wisdom was often accompanied by an Owl.

To me, birds are creatures of beauty to be watched and admired but in the past, humans have used birds for thousands of years for both food and symbolic uses such as art, music, sport and religion.

- James O