Ornithomancy and Auspicy: Bird Divination

[Sefiru]

I'd say it was definitely a message to get moving on a project or goal.

I wonder if it means anything that yesterday I saw a kestrel getting heckled by a woodpecker? (Other than that it was my first time seeing a wild kestrel. That was cool.)

[Altair]

I wonder if it means anything that yesterday I saw a kestrel getting heckled by a woodpecker? (Other than that it was my first time seeing a wild kestrel. That was cool.)

First, congrats on getting a life bird! Kestrels are awesome (and declining in much of their range, though they're doing pretty well in NYC).

Second, and more important for any meaning: What do *you* think it means? What did you feel when it happened? Was it just something cool to see...or was there an extra awesomeness factor, a "pay attention!" jolt to the whole thing? (Admittedly, these can be hard to separate, esp. when you're experiencing the thrill of seeing a bird species for the first time.)

And are there any associations you attach to kestrels in particular (or falcons in general), and/or to woodpeckers?

[Sefiru]

First, congrats on getting a life bird! Kestrels are awesome (and declining in much of their range, though they're doing pretty well in NYC).

Some kinds of birds may be on the upswing around here; I've seen more turkey vultures over the city than I used to, and there's been a nesting pair of swans near my house the last two years.

Was it just something cool to see...or was there an extra awesomeness factor, a "pay attention!" jolt to the whole thing?

Mostly the first; I've always liked falcons, and I'd like to say it's the Egyptian angle, but it's probably from reading so many Mercedes Lackey books

[Altair]

Resurrecting this thread to post my latest adventure in "half-assed augury":

The local Red-tailed Hawk family--mom, dad, and Junior--just soared directly overhead, somewhat high up, screaming the red-tail's trademark cry regularly. I associate red-tails with my late father; so family seems to be a theme here. Not sure if the threeness carries any significance.

The blue sky, nearly humidity-free, struck me as well. The perfect family out on the perfect day. Hmm.

[arete]

Does anyone have experience in ornithomancy

Yup.

[Altair]

Also, I'm curious to know about other peoples' experiences with bird signs and omens.

I just had a good one:

Right before noon, I was putting the finishing touches on something I'd started writing months ago, about my relationship with my late father. From out the window of my apartment, I heard "Quork! Quork! Quork! Quork!"

My conscious brain was only a split-second slower than my subconscious: Raven!

I snatched up my binoculars, accidentally sending a drinking glass to the floor in the process, where it shattered into a billion pieces. Didn't care; I had a raven to score before it got away! (They're everyday birds when I'm hanging in the West, but in NYC, although increasing in number, ravens are still quite uncommon.) I raced to the roof...

...and sure enough, the bird did a nice, low loop over my garden, passed directly over my head, and then soared away to the south, calling the whole time.

Now, my dad incarnates in soaring Red-tailed Hawks (trust me on this one), so I'm not getting this all twisted. But the interesting thing is, when I started writing about him months ago, the example I chose to illustrate the complications in our relationship was a drinking glass I broke as a kid while washing it; because of his own damaged psyche, that broken glass was a source of unreasonable anger for him that as a child I could only internalize as a failing of my own.

I think the raven and the glass--a bird of intelligence/traditional transmitter of wisdom, coupled with me not getting upset about the shattered object, is this:

Knowledge of self has set you free. You are no longer shackled by yesterday's wounds; that binding has been shattered into a million little pieces.

[Aisling]

I think the raven and the glass--a bird of intelligence/traditional transmitter of wisdom, coupled with me not getting upset about the shattered object, is this:

Knowledge of self has set you free. You are no longer shackled by yesterday's wounds; that binding has been shattered into a million little pieces.

That is just lovely.  Quorking in approval!

[Altair]

Does anyone have experience in ornithomancy/auspicy?

Or as I prefer to call it, augury. This morning's (Mis)Adventure in Augury:

I heard the chitter-chatter of a Chimney Swift from on high--Chimney Swifts are small, dark, "flying cigar" birds that live most of their life on the wing; they're common (but declining alarmingly) in the East of North America and one of the joys of summer here in my NYC neighborhood.

This one, though, was flying solo (they're often seen in small groups) and very high--almost too high to be seen. And instead of its characteristic fluttery, bat-like wingbeats, this one was gliding effortlessly through a clear blue sky.

I got "that feeling" of awe and meaning: You're flying high right now. Enjoy it.