TINAMOU: Constancy

When the Incas looked into their sky, they saw the Coal Sack near the Southern Cross as Yutu, the Tinamou. From September to April, Yutu warned the farmers of the coming of the Tinamou to their fields. Resembling a small partridge, Tinamou is a voracious eater who vacuummed up their planted seeds.

Not really a Pheasant, Tinamou is actually a Ratite that can fly (only for short distances). His closet relatives are Cassowary, Emu, and Kiwi of Australasia. (Rhea, the other South American Ratite, is only a distant cousin, and is more closely related to Ostrich of Africa.) Tinamou, who has no keel on his sternum, is a member of the most of ancient groups of living Birds. Ratites make up the Palaeognathae (“Old Jaws”) family of Birds. (The rest of the Birds belong to the Neognathae (“New Jaws”).)

Unlike many other Birds, both Male and Female Tinamou have many mates. After Male Tinamou makes a bowl-shaped nest beneath the bushes, Female Tinamou signals her coming with a sharp whistle. After She lays her eggs, She goes off looking for another Male Tinamou. Meanwhile, Male Tinamou remains behind to incubate the clutch and raise their young. He also waits for other Females to wander by to mate with.

This ancient Bird is still with us. In the rainforest, we hear Him booming with his foghorn voice. We see Tinamou in the sky at night, reminding us of eternity. He offers us a vision of that eternity in the changing seasons. Furthermore, He shows us constancy that lies in the past, present and future. Embrace Tinamou’s message of finding constancy in change.

Quail: Quiet Valour

QUAIL (OLD WORLD): Quiet Valour

Thought of as stout little Birds, Quails are remarkable for their hardiness. When Quail are cold, They form star-shaped Bevies (flocks) to receive warmth from each other. In addition, these short legged Birds with round heads, will often post sentries to watch for intruders. Their plumage provides such excellent camouflage that rarely does anyone notice Them until They call “wet-my-lips” or “whit-whit’tit”. (Because Quails’ calls are so distinctive, some cuckoo clocks have Them sound on the quarter hours.)

Surprisingly, Quails are well-regarded in many cultures. For the Chinese, Quails were the Fire Phoenix of Spring and Summer. Among the Hindus, these Birds represented the returning Sun. Furthermore, these unassuming Birds were also the emblem of the Russian Tsars.

Few would regard Quails as charismatic Birds. However, people do notice Quail’s ways of protecting each other. Some Quails post sentries while other Quails direct the Predator away from the Bevy. In their own way, Quails demonstrate valour. Without much fuss and attention, They do what they need to do. Remember as Quails teach: “Just do it!”

Science Note:

1. Old World Quails are Phasianidae while New World Quails are Odontophoridae. They both belong to the Superfamily of Phasianoidea, but are not close relatives of each other. Meanwhile, Button Quails, which are Turnicidae, are members of the Rail and Crane Family, and are not relatives of either Quail groups.

Copywrite: Virginia Carper, 2009, animalteachers @ gmail.com

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Hen and Rooster

Hen

Since She lays so many eggs, Hen represents fertility in many cultures. Because She gathers her chicks under her wings for protection, Hen has also come to symbolize maternal care. In addition, the Bantu regarded Her to be the Conductor of Souls to the After Life.

Rooster (Cockerel, Cock)

Since Rooster crows at dawn, many cultures viewed Him as a representative of the Sun. In Japan and China, Rooster warded off evil spirits. For the Celts, He drove away the hidden powers of the night. In Rome, Rooster, as the Bird of Mercury (God of merchants), called people to open their businesses for the new day. Living in the Underworld, Fjalarr, the Red Cock, will wake the Norse Heroes for their last great battle (Ragnarok).

Only the Tibetans did not see Rooster in a positive light. For them, He represented materialism. As One of the Three Animals on their Wheel of Life, He enticed people with greed.

Red Junglefowl: Change the Status Quo

The gloriously coloured ancestor of the Domestic Chicken, Red Junglefowl is from the forests of South and Southeast Asia. Wary and shy, He prefers life there in the underbrush where He is safe. A nimble flier, Red Junglefowl will escape from a Predator by chimneying (flying upwards in a circle) through in an opening in the forest.

Life for Red Junglefowl revolves around establishing his place in the Flock. As a Chick, He spars with the other Males while Female Chicks spar with each other. Later He will spar with the winning Females. Every place in Red Junglefowls flock is earned. However when He perceives weaknesses in any of the other Birds, He challenges Them.

The most abundant Bird in the world, Domestic Chicken is even more prolific than people. First domesticated in the Indus River Valley between 3200 and 2500 BCE, Domestic Chicken spread to Persia and Mesopotamia, finally reaching Egypt in 1500 BCE and China by 1400 BCE. The reason for Chicken’s popularity was his ability to fight well. (Cockfighting once had religious overtones.)

An important aspect of Red Junglefowl’s life is defining his place in the social pecking order of his Flock. Constantly vying for leadership, each Bird knows when to fight, when to back off, and when to stop. In each case, Red Junglefowl ably demonstrates the many aspects of competition. Never settling for the status quo, He challenges it. Just remember like Red Junglefowl to back off when your endeavours seem futile.

Lessons of the Turkey: Blessings

TURKEY: Blessings
Well-known for his metallic rainbow of feathers, Turkey was called the “Jeweled Bird” by the Aztec, Maya, and Toltec peoples. The largest and showiest of Game Birds in North America, He also has a bright red snood and throat wattle. For the peoples of Mexico, the Jeweled Bird was a Gift from the Gods. For offering to Chalchiuhtotolin (“Jade Turkey”), they would cast solid gold ornaments of Turkeys.

Meanwhile among Native Americans of the North, Turkey was known as “the Earth Eagle”. Because He was close to the earth, Turkey represented the Earth Mother. As Eagle brought messages from the Sky Father, so did the Turkey from the Earth Mother. Other peoples called Him, the “Give Away Bird” because Turkey fed so many. Only the Dakota regarded Turkey to be a stupid Bird.

Domesticated by the Aztecs, Turkey took Europe by storm as the Bird to be served at feasts. In the 1500s, the Spanish Crown required their traders to return from the New World with Turkeys as part of their cargoes. Meanwhile, King Henry VIII served Turkey at his festivities. Turkey was such a major part of European diets that the Pilgrims brought these Birds with them to the New World. Little did they know that Turkeys were native to North America.

Turkey eats what He can find on the forest floor whether it be acorns, beans, Crustaceans, Insects, or roots. This hardy Bird is able to withstand the bitter winters of the North Woods. In the spring, his breast sponge stores fat so that He can court Hen Turkeys without stopping to eat. Often He and His Brother will court a group of Hens together to form their Harem.

Hens who want either Tom Turkey will lie down in front of one of them. Later She will lay Eggs, usually in a common nest. Otherwise, Hens and Toms live separate lives, even roosting in separate trees.

As the “Jeweled Fowl”, Turkey brings blessings to all, for He can feed many at once. Prolific in his life, Turkey brings bounty to all who will share. He only asks that they live abundantly and give to others.
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Science Notes:

1. The Pheasant grouping of birds is a large family. Phasianidae includes grouse, jungle fowl (chicken), Old World quail, peafowl, pheasants and turkeys. New World quails belong to the Family of Odontophoridae, which are distant relatives of Phasianidae.

2. The two species of Turkeys are Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata).

3. Australian Brush Turkey is a member of the Family of Megopodiidae (birds that build mounds to bury their eggs). Although they are both land fowls, Australian Brush Turkey is only distantly related to Wild Turkey.

4. Australian Bustard sometimes called Scrub Turkey belongs to the family of Gruiformes (crane-like birds).

Grouse Family Teachings

GROUSE FAMILY: Lords of the Dance

Birds of the Northern Hemisphere, Grouse Family (Tetraonidae) are relatives of Pheasants and other Game Birds. Compact in shape, these Birds have fowl-like bodies. Another characteristic of Grouse is their feathered toes and nostrils. In addition, Grouse (except for Willow Ptarmigan) are polygamous.

What Grouse are best known for are their rituals of the Lek. Some Leks (dance grounds) have been used by generations of Birds. Taking turns, Male Grouse strut and put on elaborate dances. Female Grouse attach Themselves to the most vigorous dancer. Meanwhile, Spruce Grouse defends his own individual Lek, and Females go to Him there.

Male Grouse dance to impress. Raising his long tail, Spruce Grouse struts about. In the early mornings, Prairie Chicken issues his booming calls across the North American Prairies. Inflating his throat sacs, Sage Grouse gives a whip-like crack for all to hear. Meanwhile, in the North Woods, Ruffled Grouse drums loudly. The most impressive dancer of all is Capercaillie of Eurasia. Singing while leaping and strutting, He entices Female Grouse to join Him.

Male Grouse is the Lord of the Dance. He commands the attention of all as He drums, struts, and leaps. Express yourself through the dance. Move your body and come alive!

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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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