Oneida Nation Legend
Legend: " teaches lessons on responsibility and discusses how the species got its song through dishonest means which is why they hide"
According to Oneida Indian Nation there is a legend associated with the Hermit Thrush that teaches the lesson of honesty. It was said birds once had no song, they would watch people and listen to them sing. One day the birds were offered an opportunity for their own song. The birds were to fly as high as they could and once, they could no longer fly they would receive their song. Only the highest-flying bird would get the most beautiful song. The little thrush knowing its small size would not get them very far, hid in the feathers of the eagle while it wasn’t looking. All the birds took off toward the sky and one by one the birds dropped off, soon the eagle could no longer fly. The thrush took this opportunity to emerge from the eagle’s feathers and flew as high as it could receiving the most beautiful song. Once the thrush returned to earth it only felt shame. This is why now the thrush is only seen hidden on the ground and in bushes shying away from humans.
Image provided by: Oneida Nation
Social Significance
American Literature “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” is a poem written in 1865 by Walt Whitman as an elegy to Abraham Lincoln after Lincoln’s assassination. In this poem the Hermit Thrush represents death. Whitmans friend and nature writer John Burroughs referred the Hermit Thrush as Walter Whitman’s “alter ego”. “Solitary the thrush the hermit withdrawn to himself, avoiding the settlements, Sings by himself a song.” (lines 18-22)
Hermit Thrush and Music
In a study done by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) “Hermit thrushes appear to prefer singing in harmonic series—a fundamental component in human music. The birds' musical taste is likely a product of biology, which might provide clues in an age-old debate: How much of human music’s origins are biological versus cultural?”
Image provided by: Wikiwand
Symbolism
Outside of cultural importance, the Hermit Thrush holds meaning through symbolism.
Song
Their songs are commonly viewed as messages of the divine realm and bring harmony to relationships. The song of the Hermit Thrush also contributed to why Vermont sought to make this species the State's bird, as the beauty and undeniable song marks the beginning of new seasons for the state.
Image Provided by: Sabiduri Blog
Symbol of New Beginnings
Seeing a Hermit Thrush is believed to mean transformation for your life, the need to show courage, exploring the unknown, or even to move forward positively. Additionally, the bird can symbolize the need to find clarity, maintaining inner peace, and bringing forth healing energy.
Image Provided by: Audubon
If Found Dead
Although the symbols and messages of the Hermit Thrush remain relatively positive in life, if the bird is found dead the meaning changes. This symbol marks the end of a chapter, and reflecting necessary change needed in one's life.
Image Provided by: INaturalist