BLACKBIRD: Finding Your Inner Joy

Like all Thrushes, Blackbird (Turdus merula) is known for his singing voice. A familiar sight in the countryside of Europe, He entertains people with his melodies. Originally an inhabitant of the woodlands of Europe and Asia, Blackbird began frequenting parks in the 1800s. By the 1900s, He moved into the cities. Now a familiar sight, Blackbird makes Himself at home most anywhere.

Blackbird’s rich mellow song and striking appearance makes Him noticeable. Because of his black color and sweet song, the ancient Greeks considered Blackbird a destructive bird that led people into bad situations. Later, Christians claimed that Satan took the shape of Blackbird to tempt saints to forget their vows.

However in Druidic traditions, Blackbird is the Gateway between the Worlds of Reality and Dreams. A Sacred Bird, He is also one of the five oldest animals. Because of his sunny song and black color, Blackbird is also the Bird of the Forge. His song calls people to create lives of passion and purpose.

Singing his enchanting song, Blackbird puts people in touch with their inner joy. From this perky little bird comes a sense of contentedness about life. Listen to Blackbird’s song and discover your own inner joy.

Blackbird’s Wisdom Includes:

Answering the Inner Call of Self

Living a Life of Passion and Purpose

Being the Gateway between Worlds

Domestic Happiness

Singing Your Own Melody

Harmony in All Things

Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

Note: Three unrelated birds are called Blackbird. Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Yellow-head Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) of North America are members of the Troupial Family. Blackbird (Turdus merula) of Europe is a close cousin of American Robin (Turdus migratorius).

WESTERN MEADOWLARK (PRAIRE LARK): Joy in Music

BLACKBIRDS, COWBIRDS, ORIOLES, AND ALLIES (ICTERIDAE)

New World Blackbirds, which includes Bobolinks, Grackles, and Meadowlarks, are considered to be the most recently evolved of Bird Families. These very intelligent Birds are also fast learners. For obtaining food, They have strong bills that can force open gaps in places.

WESTERN MEADOWLARK (PRAIRE LARK): Joy in Music

Famous for his song, Western Meadowlark is often associated with the American West. His flute-like notes are usually included in the sound tracks of Western movies. By this happenstance, his melodies are actually heard worldwide by many people who have never been to the American prairies.

For the Lakota/Dakota, Western Meadowlark was one of the messengers of Itokago of the South (one of the Four Winds, and son of Tate (Mystery)). For women, He offered them beauty, fertility and the promise of a happy marriage. Because Western Meadowlark could gain access anywhere, He was often associated with love

Singing in his flute-like voice, Western Meadowlark offers joy to all. Since He looks so similar to Eastern Meadowlark, only Western Meadowlark’s song could tell the two Birds apart. On a flower-studded prairie, this Musician finds a fence post, and proclaims his territory with song. (His song is his weapon of defense.) Facing the sun, whose rays catch his golden shield of feathers, Western Meadowlark opens his mouth and sings out, “Spring o’ the year!”

Western Meadowlark brings the joy of music to us. In our busy lives, we often forget how music can enthrall us. Stop and listen to Western Meadowlark singing on his fence post, in the bright sun. Allow Him help you to recapture the joy of music in your life.

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Science Notes:
1. True Larks are Alaudidae. Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is of the Icteridae (Blackbirds and allies) family.