Bird Language
Bird Language
A strength first, then the shadow it can tip into.
This language grew out of my own backyard: the murder of crows on my deck rail, the hummingbird at the feeder, the blue jays who announce themselves to the whole yard. Watching them, I started to see the people I’ve known, and the woman I’ve been, in their ways.
Every bird here carries a strength. Most also carry a shadow, the place that strength can tip into on a hard day. Some birds simply carry their strengths. None of it is a box; it’s a way to talk about who we are, gently, together.
Predator labels describe a behaviour, never a real person or group.
Meet the Birds
As we grow, our bird grows with us. Tap a bird to meet the human inside! 💛
Little Ones
Fledglings
Every kind of little mind is welcome in the nest. Busy minds, deep-focus minds, upside-down minds: they are all strengths.
Teens
Young Birds
Testing their wings, finding their voice, becoming who they are.
Grown Birds
Adults
As we grow, our bird grows with us: building nests, raising broods and carrying the load together.
Elders of the Murder
Our 55+ Crows
Wisdom, watchfulness and a warm branch to share. This is where the murder roosts.
Birds We Watch For
Outside the Boundaries
These describe behaviours, never a real person or group. Knowing them helps the murder look out for each other.
🎵 Bird sound credits
- Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea): Doug Hynes, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica): Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula): Bird Boy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Barred Owls (Strix varia): Rob Porter, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Black Swans (Cygnus atratus): 星外之神, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Bluebirds (Sialia sialis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Broken Crows, Crows, Sentinel crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Broken Ravens, Ravens (Corvus corax): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis): Eric B, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Chickadees & finches, Mixed winter gathering (Poecile atricapillus): Eric B, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima): Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Common Loons (Gavia immer): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Cowbirds & cuckoos (Molothrus ater): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): NPS & MSU Acoustic Atlas/Jennifer Jerrett, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris): Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Geese (Branta canadensis): Antonio Xeira, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Golden-crowned Kinglets (Regulus satrapa): Kirill Ignatyev, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias): Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Great horned owls (Bubo virginianus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Gulls (Larus argentatus): Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus): Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus): Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Partridges (Bonasa umbellus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Robins (Turdus migratorius): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Shrikes (Lanius excubitor): Pascal Christe, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis): Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Swans (Cygnus buccinator): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- The lowest vultures, Vultures (Cathartes aura): G. McGrane, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Laysan Albatross: a soft chirp synthesised in your browser (no recording used).
💛 Every bird belongs in the murder.
Bird Families
Our birds, our people. Tap a card to flip it and hear the call! 🐦
Residents & Core
The steady heart of the murder: the birds who make the roost a home.
Kinds of Minds
Every kind of mind belongs. Different wiring, real strengths.
Couples & Families
Pairs, partners and the families we choose.
Visitors & Seasonal
Friends who fly in, stay a season, and are always welcome back.
Outside the Boundaries
Behaviours we watch for, so the roost stays safe and kind.
🎵 Bird sound credits
- Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea): Doug Hynes, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica): Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula): Bird Boy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Barred Owls (Strix varia): Rob Porter, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Black Swans (Cygnus atratus): 星外之神, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Bluebirds (Sialia sialis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Broken Crows, Crows, Sentinel crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Broken Ravens, Ravens (Corvus corax): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis): Eric B, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Chickadees & finches, Mixed winter gathering (Poecile atricapillus): Eric B, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima): Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Common Loons (Gavia immer): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Cowbirds & cuckoos (Molothrus ater): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): NPS & MSU Acoustic Atlas/Jennifer Jerrett, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris): Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Geese (Branta canadensis): Antonio Xeira, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Golden-crowned Kinglets (Regulus satrapa): Kirill Ignatyev, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias): Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Great horned owls (Bubo virginianus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Gulls (Larus argentatus): Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus): Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus): Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Partridges (Bonasa umbellus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Robins (Turdus migratorius): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Shrikes (Lanius excubitor): Pascal Christe, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis): Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Swans (Cygnus buccinator): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- The lowest vultures, Vultures (Cathartes aura): G. McGrane, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo): Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Trimmed and faded.
- Laysan Albatross: a soft chirp made in your browser (no recording used).