Christmas Birds – Decoration, Symbolism, and Food for the Table

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Dec 14, 2008

When we think about Christmas, the first bird that comes to mind is usually the Christmas turkey. But think deeper and you’ll realize that there are lots of other birds in our Christmas traditions.

Christmas decorations often incorporate little birds: birds cling to the branches of Christmas trees, accent wreaths and adorn Christmas cards. Birds with red colour, like Eurasian Robins and Northern Cardinals are especially common, but we also see turkeys and geese and, of course, the perennial partridge in a pear tree. Doves appear regularly as well because these birds, like Christmas, are associated with peace.

Turkeys aren’t the only bird that can be eaten for Christmas dinner. Geese are traditional too, and partridges have long been a popular game bird. Pheasant pie might be on the menu as well. All of the birds in The Twelve Days of Christmas can be eaten, including the “calling birds” which was originally colley birds or black birds. (Remember “four and twenty black birds baked in a pie” from your childhood nursery rhymes?) Maybe the reason for all the partridges, turtle doves, hens, calling birds, golden rings (ring necked pheasants, geese, and swans was so that there would be plenty of food for a feast, with entertainment provided by ladies dancing, lords a-leaping, pipers piping, and drummers drumming. Just a thought…

Once, there was a tradition of going out at Christmas and shooting as many birds as you could—it was a competition. Today, that tradition has been replaced, at least in the Americas, by the “Christmas Bird Count,” a nicer endeavor that helps us keep track of whether bird species are flourishing or failing… and no harm is done to the birds.

Other Content about Christmas Birds

Seven Swans A-Swimming

Decorate a Christmas Tree for Birds