Every birder has heard some fantastical stories about birds, from outrageous behavior to extraordinary encounters to well-meaning but unusual advice. But which stories are true and which are just out of control exaggerations? Each of these 12 bird urban legends has done the rounds through social media networks, emails and occasionally even mainstream media news outlets, but which are true and which are false? Don't get taken in by the craziness!
True or False? – False!
This legend claims that rice is bad for birds; the grain will swell in birds' stomachs so quickly that their organs rupture and they will explode, and therefore brides and grooms should never plan a rice toss as part of their special day. In fact, however, many birds are granivorous and eat plenty of grains in their diet, including wild rice, with no ill effects, and rice is one of the kitchen scraps it is acceptable to feed birds.
Learn More: Wedding BirdseedMore »
True or False? – True!
While this isn't necessarily a widespread phenomenon, one car wash in Maryland was plagued by European starlings with a fondness for coins, and the birds learned how to raid the machines in order to swipe change. Before the culprits were identified, they had removed several thousand dollars in quarters! Starlings and other birds, especially corvids, are attracted to unusual objects and will collect them, but rarely with such spectacular notice.
Learn More: What Is Caching?More »
True or False? – False!
A poignant photo in this hoax shows a barn swallow lying dead with a distraught mate nearby, and a wad of discarded chewing gum is blamed for the bird's demise, claiming that birds mistake the gum for food but choke after swallowing it. While it is true that birds might peck at gum to see what it is, they will instantly recognize that it is not edible and will leave it alone. Furthermore, swallows are insectivorous and wouldn't even be curious about a piece of gum – the bird in the photo was killed by a vehicle collision.
Learn More: How Litter Hurts BirdsMore »
True or False? – False!
It is never a good idea to handle baby birds, as they need to be left alone to learn their way in the world and their parents are undoubtedly nearby watching over them. It is untrue, however, that human scent will cause parent birds to reject their offspring – smell is one of a bird's least developed senses and they wouldn't notice a human's odor. The smell can still be dangerous, however, because it might attract a predator like a feral cat or a snake to the vulnerable chick.
Learn More: What to Do If You Find a Baby BirdMore »
True or False? – False!
There isn't a firm origin to the idea that duck quacks don't echo, but it is so pervasive that it has been disproven by acoustical experts for years – yet it still persists! Birds make many sounds and ducks do far more than quack – squeaks, whistles, honks, growls and other sounds are all part of the Anatidae vocabulary. Duck habitats might contribute to this legend, however, since most ducks are not found anywhere near canyons or cliffs that could create echoes, but just because you don't hear the echo doesn't mean it wouldn't be there.
Learn More: 15 Fun Facts About DucksMore »
True or False? – True!
It seems impossible to believe that such tiny flying jewels would come close enough to sip from a human's hand, but they will. Learning how to feed these birds by hand takes great practice and patience, however, and the appropriate hummingbird nectar recipe to tempt them with a sweet treat. Taking steps to get good looks at hummingbirds will also help encourage these birds to come close without fear, leading to a magical bird feeding experience.
Learn More: How to Hand-Feed HummingbirdsMore »
True or False? – False!
Many birds have colorful plumage, but owls are not among them. The fantastical photo of a rainbow owl is actually a cleverly manipulated photo of a barred owl, but it's such a beautiful and convincing image that it has been shared through emails, memes and other social media. All owls depend on more subtle camouflage, however, to stay safe in their daytime roosts, and no owl with such amazing color would be safe from predators or other birds that would prefer these raptors move away.
Learn More: Bird PlumagesMore »
True or False? – False!
It can be fun to see penguins at aquariums, and this legend regularly circulates in different forms, most often with the story of a young boy sneaking a captive penguin home in his backpack after a school or family trip, only to be discovered with the bird in his bedroom or bathtub. Aquariums keep their birds very safe and secure, however, and no penguin – with its razor-sharp bill and powerful flippers – would submit to being kept unnoticed in a bag.
Learn More: Where to See PenguinsMore »
True or False? – False!
A classroom video project spurned this rumor, and as the video went viral it was picked up by news outlets before the students and school responsible revealed that it was a computer graphics project, not a real video. In truth, while eagles are powerful, they do not have the strength to lift a child as the video shows, nor would they be likely to attack in a city park. Birds of prey can be a threat to small pets if the animals are left untended, but pose no threat to humans unless they feel those humans are threatening their nests.
Learn More: Protect Pets From Birds of PreyMore »
True or False? – False!
Turkeys have an undeserved reputation for idiocy – in fact, these are quite intelligent and wily birds. This legend states that when the birds (usually depicted as domestic turkeys) feel rain, they look up to see where the water is coming from, and subsequently drown. First, however, turkeys wouldn't look straight up – their eyes are on the side of their head and they'd look to the side. Furthermore, the rain wouldn't bother them at all!
Learn More: 20 Fun Facts About Wild TurkeysMore »
True or False? – False!
This strange legend claims that old eagles will retreat to an isolated area to shed their bill and talons to grow new ones so they can continue to hunt effectively. A bird's bill and talons, however, are composed of keratin and are worn down through use, but they continue to grow throughout the bird's life. No bird will shed these essential parts, and if an injury caused such shedding, the bird would be severely disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Learn More: About the Bald EagleMore »
True or False? – True!
A fun video shows a gull in Scotland furtively entering a shop and making off with a bag of Doritos, opening the bag to snack on its bounty once its safely outside. While it seems fantastical, this is a true story of an opportunistic gull that learned how to snatch the chips, most likely by recognizing the package from experiences eating similar items as handouts. Gulls are omnivorous and will happily try any type of food, no matter how they have to get it!
Learn More: Bird DigestionMore »
•Wedding Rice Makes Birds Explode
True or False? – False!
This legend claims that rice is bad for birds; the grain will swell in birds' stomachs so quickly that their organs rupture and they will explode, and therefore brides and grooms should never plan a rice toss as part of their special day. In fact, however, many birds are granivorous and eat plenty of grains in their diet, including wild rice, with no ill effects, and rice is one of the kitchen scraps it is acceptable to feed birds.
Learn More: Wedding BirdseedMore »
•Birds Steal From Automated Car Washes
True or False? – True!
While this isn't necessarily a widespread phenomenon, one car wash in Maryland was plagued by European starlings with a fondness for coins, and the birds learned how to raid the machines in order to swipe change. Before the culprits were identified, they had removed several thousand dollars in quarters! Starlings and other birds, especially corvids, are attracted to unusual objects and will collect them, but rarely with such spectacular notice.
Learn More: What Is Caching?More »
•Discarded Gum Can Kill Birds
True or False? – False!
A poignant photo in this hoax shows a barn swallow lying dead with a distraught mate nearby, and a wad of discarded chewing gum is blamed for the bird's demise, claiming that birds mistake the gum for food but choke after swallowing it. While it is true that birds might peck at gum to see what it is, they will instantly recognize that it is not edible and will leave it alone. Furthermore, swallows are insectivorous and wouldn't even be curious about a piece of gum – the bird in the photo was killed by a vehicle collision.
Learn More: How Litter Hurts BirdsMore »
•Parents Birds Reject Chicks That Have Been Handled By Humans
True or False? – False!
It is never a good idea to handle baby birds, as they need to be left alone to learn their way in the world and their parents are undoubtedly nearby watching over them. It is untrue, however, that human scent will cause parent birds to reject their offspring – smell is one of a bird's least developed senses and they wouldn't notice a human's odor. The smell can still be dangerous, however, because it might attract a predator like a feral cat or a snake to the vulnerable chick.
Learn More: What to Do If You Find a Baby BirdMore »
•A Duck's Quack Won't Echo
True or False? – False!
There isn't a firm origin to the idea that duck quacks don't echo, but it is so pervasive that it has been disproven by acoustical experts for years – yet it still persists! Birds make many sounds and ducks do far more than quack – squeaks, whistles, honks, growls and other sounds are all part of the Anatidae vocabulary. Duck habitats might contribute to this legend, however, since most ducks are not found anywhere near canyons or cliffs that could create echoes, but just because you don't hear the echo doesn't mean it wouldn't be there.
Learn More: 15 Fun Facts About DucksMore »
•Hummingbirds Can Be Fed By Hand
True or False? – True!
It seems impossible to believe that such tiny flying jewels would come close enough to sip from a human's hand, but they will. Learning how to feed these birds by hand takes great practice and patience, however, and the appropriate hummingbird nectar recipe to tempt them with a sweet treat. Taking steps to get good looks at hummingbirds will also help encourage these birds to come close without fear, leading to a magical bird feeding experience.
Learn More: How to Hand-Feed HummingbirdsMore »
•A Rare Rainbow Owl Has Been Discovered
True or False? – False!
Many birds have colorful plumage, but owls are not among them. The fantastical photo of a rainbow owl is actually a cleverly manipulated photo of a barred owl, but it's such a beautiful and convincing image that it has been shared through emails, memes and other social media. All owls depend on more subtle camouflage, however, to stay safe in their daytime roosts, and no owl with such amazing color would be safe from predators or other birds that would prefer these raptors move away.
Learn More: Bird PlumagesMore »
•Penguins Have Been Stolen From Aquariums
True or False? – False!
It can be fun to see penguins at aquariums, and this legend regularly circulates in different forms, most often with the story of a young boy sneaking a captive penguin home in his backpack after a school or family trip, only to be discovered with the bird in his bedroom or bathtub. Aquariums keep their birds very safe and secure, however, and no penguin – with its razor-sharp bill and powerful flippers – would submit to being kept unnoticed in a bag.
Learn More: Where to See PenguinsMore »
•An Eagle Can Snatch a Toddler
True or False? – False!
A classroom video project spurned this rumor, and as the video went viral it was picked up by news outlets before the students and school responsible revealed that it was a computer graphics project, not a real video. In truth, while eagles are powerful, they do not have the strength to lift a child as the video shows, nor would they be likely to attack in a city park. Birds of prey can be a threat to small pets if the animals are left untended, but pose no threat to humans unless they feel those humans are threatening their nests.
Learn More: Protect Pets From Birds of PreyMore »
•Turkeys Will Drown in Rain
True or False? – False!
Turkeys have an undeserved reputation for idiocy – in fact, these are quite intelligent and wily birds. This legend states that when the birds (usually depicted as domestic turkeys) feel rain, they look up to see where the water is coming from, and subsequently drown. First, however, turkeys wouldn't look straight up – their eyes are on the side of their head and they'd look to the side. Furthermore, the rain wouldn't bother them at all!
Learn More: 20 Fun Facts About Wild TurkeysMore »
•Old Eagles Are Reborn By Shedding Their Beaks and Talons
True or False? – False!
This strange legend claims that old eagles will retreat to an isolated area to shed their bill and talons to grow new ones so they can continue to hunt effectively. A bird's bill and talons, however, are composed of keratin and are worn down through use, but they continue to grow throughout the bird's life. No bird will shed these essential parts, and if an injury caused such shedding, the bird would be severely disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Learn More: About the Bald EagleMore »
•Gulls Steal From Convenience Stores
True or False? – True!
A fun video shows a gull in Scotland furtively entering a shop and making off with a bag of Doritos, opening the bag to snack on its bounty once its safely outside. While it seems fantastical, this is a true story of an opportunistic gull that learned how to snatch the chips, most likely by recognizing the package from experiences eating similar items as handouts. Gulls are omnivorous and will happily try any type of food, no matter how they have to get it!
Learn More: Bird DigestionMore »