Each culture has its own take on the symbolism of different birds. Still, many agree that there are strong associations between certain birds and love, whether romantic love, maternal love, or spiritual love. Looking through history, you can find common threads tying together myths and stories about birds and love.
Here are 16 types of birds that represent love:
Table of Contents
1. Doves
The association between doves and romance goes back to Greek mythology, where the dove was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Aphrodite is often shown in visual depictions with doves surrounding her and resting on her hands.
Doves are also associated with love because they’re known for their monogamous behavior.
They tend to be loyal to one partner throughout an entire mating season, and the partners together care for their young.
In medieval times, love potion recipes often called for the heart of a dove, because of these strong associations between doves and romance.
Note: The bird was also featured in our article about types of birds that represent freedom.
2. Partridges
Partridges are associated with love because their mating season overlaps with Valentine’s Day.
Back in the Middle Ages, people thought that all birds would choose their mates on Valentine’s Day because they witnessed the partridges doing this.
Other birds that mate in mid-February around Valentine’s Day are the mistle thrush and the blackbird.
3. Swans
Swans, like doves, are associated with the goddess of love, Aphrodite. They are one of her sacred animals, and they acted as her companions.
They also represent love, elegance, and grace in many modern fairy tales, and the presence of swans indicates monogamous romance and purity.
4. Storks
Storks represent a mother’s love. This symbolism is due to the myth that storks deliver new babies to the world, as told in the story “The Storks” by Hans Christian Andersen.
In this story, storks scoop up sleeping babies from lakes and ponds, then deliver them to families.
5. Magpies
Magpies represent love according to Chinese tradition.
According to cultural myths, the magpie is associated with marital happiness and other forms of good fortune and well-being.
The presence of a magpie is a good omen, especially within the context of a relationship or family.
6. Cardinals
Cardinals are widely seen as good omens and figures of loyalty and faithfulness, but according to some Christain traditions, they are also symbols of the love of God.
This association comes from the bright red color of the male cardinal, which represents the blood of Jesus Christ.
7. Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are symbols of love according to Native American beliefs.
According to some, the hummingbird is a healing bird that delivers love to those it encounters.
Also, Central Americans have a belief that those who see a hummingbird are loved by somebody and therefore are blessed.
8. Pigeons
Pigeons symbolize many things in history and literature, including but not limited to love.
They often have a spiritual meaning and have even been worshiped as sources of healing, love, peace, and happiness.
Some cultures have viewed them as messengers between humans and gods.
9. Lovebirds
Lovebirds get their name because of their monogamous connections with each other and their strong association with love.
They partner with each other for life, and they miss each other when their partners aren’t around.
They are also very affectionate, and will routinely feed each other to bond and show care.
10. Sparrows
Sparrows were associated with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, like doves and swans.
Specifically, sparrows represented the spiritual connection you can find in true love with another.
They are also associated with the soul in Egyptian mythology, which said sparrows were the ones to carry the souls of the deceased from the earth to heaven.
11. Cranes
The crane represents everlasting love, long life, good luck, and happiness in East Asian cultures and North America.
They are also associated with loyalty, likely because the crane picks one partner and sticks with that partner through its entire adult life.
Among birds, the crane is one of the most faithful.
12. Herons
In Native Japanese legends, herons were said to embody the spirits of lovestruck girls, who would transform themselves into these birds.
And then dance on frozen ponds during the winter.
You can find white and grey herons depicted in such scenes in many ancient Japanese paintings.
In other Japanese legends, the heron represents nobility and divinity and grace and purity.
In one, the heron is said to be a prince who died and then transformed into a bird.
13. Nightingales
Nightingales have a dual meaning of love and loss in literature and are often associated with mourning.
This may be because these birds are nocturnal and therefore associated with the darkness of night.
Many also believe that the song of the nightingale is immortal, remaining the same across regions and long periods.
14. Birds of Paradise
Birds of Paradise are associated with love because of their dazzling mating dances.
They are known for displaying their feathers and dancing for prospective mates, and these acts are used as symbols of courtship in many cultures.
There are at least 40 kinds of Birds of Paradise, each with its distinct mating dance.
These involve elaborate preparation and movement patterns that must be executed just so.
See the following video for a few examples:
15. Canadian Geese
Canadian Geese are seen as symbols of love because of how they behave towards their partners.
They are incredibly loyal, and a Canadian Goose even stays back from the flock if its partner is injured.
The mate will separate itself from the flock to mourn if a partner dies, making a distinct honking sound.
16. Peaco*cks
Peaco*cks are symbolic birds in many legends and myths, often representing love.
They are known for the ceremonial dance they do when attracting peahens.
And some say that if you witness a peaco*ck’s ceremonial mating dance, good things will come your way in your romantic life.
