FOSSIL REMAINS OF GREAT BIRDS

Argentine scientists' have unearthed the fossil remains of what Seems to be the world's largest known flying bird, Argentavis magnificens. With a wingspan of 25 feet, the bird measured' 11 feet from beak to tail, and weighed in at l60 to 170 lbs. Its first wing bone, the humerus, was approximately 22 inches long.

Paleontologists Kenneth E. Campbell and Eduardo P. Tonni identified the fossil remains at Argentina's La Plata Museum. Working with leg, wing, and skull bones, Campbell and Tonni, have tentatively concluded that the enormous bird probably did more soaring than flapping. They admit that it seems initially unlikely that a bird of that size could even get off the ground, but believe that the size of the wing bones and their markings indicate that Argenravis magnificens did fly. "It has the right size wing bones, and it has the markings on the wing bones of secondaries, a type of flight feathers," Campbell said. "It's unlikely that a bird would have feathers and wing bones suitable for flight if it didn't fly."

In the past, there have been larger birds and larger flying animals, but no larger flying birds. Pterosaurs, giant flying reptiles, were the biggest creatures to take off; one pterosaur found in Texas had a wingspan of 30 to 33 feet. The largest previously known flying birds were the North American Teratorn with a wingspan of sixteen feet. Based on his studies of another teratorn fossil, Teratornis merriami (the skeleton above), Campbell believes that the teratorns were predators. "The long, narrow hooked beak and the type of jaw mechanism found in this species are similar to those that would be expected of a bird that grabbed small animals with its beak and swallowed them whole," he said. [ Bioscience, December 1980 ~ Article from Evidence ]

In 1971, Douglas Lawson, a University of Texas student, discovered the fossil bones of an even larger specimen, with a wingspan of 36 to 39 feet. It was named after the Aztec god who looked like a feathered serpent: Quetzalcoatlus northropi. Pronounced “ket zel KWAT lus,” this creature was one of the last of the pterosaurs to survive. Its neck was extremely long, its slender jaws were toothless, and its head was topped by a long bony crest. Like other pterosaurs, it had fingers on the front edge of its wing with sharp claws that could grip prey.

The eating habits of Quetzalcoatlus are unknown, and there are different theories about the feeding habits of flying reptiles. Some experts think they ventured far out to sea, skimming over the surface of the water, and skillfully fed on fish. Others think they may have been carrion feeders, like modern vultures, and fed upon the carcasses of dinosaurs. Their long beaks and necks made them capable of probing deeply for food, on sea or land.

Aeronautical engineers and paleontologists have theories about how large animals launched themselves into space and stayed there. As a flying machine Quetzalcoatlus lacked the muscle power to run rapidly until it reached an airspeed that allowed it to take off. Likewise, it did not have the muscle or skeletal structure to flap its wings constantly to maintain flight. Perhaps it became airborne by dropping from the height of a cliff, or the crest of a wave. Or perhaps it waited until the hot sun warmed the ground and created strong thermal updrafts. Maybe it could stand up on its hind legs and catch an appropriate breeze, and with a single flap of its wings and a kick of its feet become airborne. Once aloft, it may have stayed in the air for long periods, riding air currents with minimal effort as it soared slowly and gracefully over land or water looking for prey. Its aeronautical design suggests that it could coast more slowly than a bird, before it stalled and had to land. The great wings may have allowed it to land gently, but its size, weight and long, weak hind limbs suggest that it did not live in trees as birds do. [ Article from Cloud Dragon ]

THE PHOENIX

I'm going to cheat here and send you to another web-site that is called 'The Pedigree of the Phoenix". Robin Edgar has written a thoughtful, well researched piece on the Phoenix, which is rather long, but definitely worth the read. Click here.

THE THUNDERBIRD

Thunderbirds appear mostly in Native American legends and mythology. There is also a thunderbird in the Mespotamian myths that goes by the name of Imdugud. Imdugud is said to be the vehicle of Ninurta, the war god. The thunderbird is also known to the shamen of Central and Northern Asia and is a tutelary spirit as well as a totem animal. The existence of very large birds from pre-historic times lays a foundation for the reality of these giant birds, and they cannot be considered entirely mythological as in the case of basilisks, gryphons and other compound monsters of myth. A more proper designation would be 'mythologized'. Reports of sightings of giant birds still exist to this day in various locations around the world.

The Native American thunderbird legends cross tribal boundaries and are present in the mythologies of the Ojibwa (Canadian Chipewah), the tribes of the Pacific Northwest, the Plains and the Northeast. For the Quileute legend, click here. For the Passamaquoddy legend, click here. The Ojibwa word for thunderbird is 'binesi'.

The thunderbird was considered to be the herald of the heavenly fire, lightning. Today, we know that first comes the lightning and then the thunder. The 'thunderbolt' was considered in most all ancient cultures to be a weapon of the gods, but it is much more than that. The hexagram, or six-pointed star was said to be the weapon of Indra, the 'pre-Aryan' god of thunder and storms in Vedic literature. It is also the weapon of Adad/Haddad/Teshub in Caananite and Hurrian myth, as well as the Egyptian god Resheph. Adad, the Sumerian storm-god holds a lightning bolt in his right hand and an axe in his left hand.

In "The Hero With a Thousand Faces" Joseph Campbell has this to say:

"The thunderbolt (vajra) is one of the major symbols of Buddhist iconography, signifying the spiritual power of Buddhahood (indestructible enlightenment) which shatters the illusory realites of the world. The Absolute, or Adi-Buddha, is represented in the images of Tibet as a Vajra-Dhara (Dorje-Chang) "Holder of the Adamantine Bolt".

"In the figures of the gods that have come down from ancient Mesopotamia (Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia and Assyria) the thunderbolt, in the same form as the vajra is a conspicuous element; from these it was inherited by Zeus.

"We know also that among primitive peoples warriors may speak fo their weapons as thunderbolts...the initiated warrior is the agent of the divine will; his training is not only in manual but also in spiritual skills. Magic (the supernatural power of the thunderbolt), as well as physical force and chemical poison, gives the lethal energy to his blows. A consummate master would require no physical weapon at all; the power of his magic word would suffice."

The creature Anzu would also from it's description, seem to be something like a thunderbird. Anzu means 'the knower of the heavens', according to Sitchin. Anzu is a demonic being with lion paws and face, and eagle talons and wings. It was born on the mountain Hehe. It's beak is like a saw, its hide as eleven coats of mail. It was very powerful. Anzu steals the Tablets of Destiny from Ellil and slain by Ninurta. Anzu's description is also very much similar to that of a gryphon, which is also associated with the phoenix bird.

Primitive peoples saw creatures with wings and the ability to fly as messengers from the gods or heaven. Therefore, any creature that could fly was deemed divine or to have access to divine knowledge or secrets. This ability, coupled with the symbology of the thunderbolt and lightning, indicated the power of a creature such as the thunderbird to bring divine secrets, knowledge or assistance down to the earth to man. As a shamanic totem, the thunderbird becomes the vehicle of the shaman's spirit, allowing him to move between the celestial and mundane realms.

THE SIMURGH

The stories of Zal in Persian lore are similar to the legends of Hercules in that he has many adventures. In one of the stories, Zal is rescued by the vulture Simurgh, who also saves him in later times from his enemy Isfandiyar. The bird also heals the wounds of Zal and his horse Rakhsh. Zal was the first son of Sam, the king of Sistan. Because he had white hair, his mother concealed the birth. Sam discovers it and orders the child to be exposed. The servants carry it to the top of Mount Elburz, where it is raised by the Simurgh. This story is very similar to the story of Noah told in the 'Tales of the Patriarchs' from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and as Andrew Collins reports in 'From the Ashes of Angels'.

Another story about the Simurgh relates to Etana, the first human king of Kish. Etana was made king by Ellil and Inanna. For many years, Etana did not have an heir. He prayed to the sun god Shamash, who told him where he could find the bird with the cut wings. This bird, Shamash told him would find for him the plant of birth. Etana found the bird, fed it and taught it to fly again. They flew up into the heavens to look for the plant and Etana grew afraid. The Simurgh took him back to the ground. Later, Etana had encouraging dreams. He returned to the Simurgh and this time suceeded in finding the plant of birth. In time, a son was born to Etana and he was called Balih.

GARUDA THE SERPENT KILLER

The Simurgh is variously refered to as either an eagle or a vulture, depending on which myth you're reading and the translator's preference. It is also associated with Garuda, who is a solar deity and is shown as having an eagle's head and wings and the body of a human male. Garuda is also sometimes represented as a peacock with a long tail. He is the vehicle of the Hindu god Vishnu and is known as the Serpent Killer. Garuda is a popular god in Malaysia, as well.

In one of the major legends regarding Garuda, he and his mother Vinata become involved in a battle with Kadru, the mother of serpents (nagas). Garuda and Vinata are captured and told that the only way they will be released is if Garuda steals the soma (elixir of life) from the gods. Garuda does this and is then pursued by the gods, with Indra at the lead. In the chase, some drops of the elixir are spilled and the serpents drink enough of it to become immortal. The gods retrieve the soma and Garuda and Vinata are released. For this reason, Garuda becomes the enemy of the serpents and kills them when he can.

THE VULTURE

The vulture is a raptor, but unlike other raptors, it does not kill to sustain itself. Due to it's weak claws and legs, the vulture cannot attack and lift prey as an eagle or hawk does. Neither does it's beak have the shape or strength to tear into a fresh carcass. Instead, the vulture is a carrion-eater. While this may sound disgusting, the vulture fills a very important niche in the ecological sphere. It is able to consume diseased and rotting carcasses, that if left to decay naturally would spread disease to other animals, rodents, birds and man. The miraculous thing about a vulture is that it does not become diseased or ill itself by ingesting such matter. Scientists have been studying vultures to find out why this is, presuming that it could have important medical ramifications for humans. The scientific name of the turkey vulture is Cathartes aura or 'golden purifier'. The turkey vulture's digestive system has the unique ability to kill any virus and bacteria in the food the bird eats. This ability is seemingly magical. But there is more magic to this bird....

For these reasons, the vulture is seen as a bit of a natural alchemist who takes corruption and filth and turns it into sustenance - life. In alchemy, the vulture represents the process of sublimation, just as the eagle does. It is a sign of confirmation of a new relationship between the volatile aspects of life and the fixed - the psychic energies and cosmic forces. It holds the promise that the suffering of the immediate was temporary and necessary - for a higher purpose was at work, even if that is not understood at the time.

The vulture is from the same family as the condor, the largest bird alive today. The average wingspan of a California condor is 9 feet, while the turkey vulture and black vulture have wingspans of 6 feet. The wingspan of an Andean condor can reach 12 feet. As you watch these birds soar in the air, you will note the thrilling grace and ease of their flight. They barely move their wings at all. They have the ability to see and use the thermals rising from the earth. This ability is likened to auric vision, the ability to see the subtle colored energy emanations from the body. To a human observer, these thermals are visible only a few feet off the ground. The heat rising off the surface of a paved road is a thermal. We've all seen that. The vulture cannot see them on the ground, but as they rise into the sky, hundreds of feet up they are sensitive to every aspect of these currents. The vulture can fly without expending much energy to oppose gravity. The power of their flight does not come from their own effort. They simply use what is available. This seemingly gives the vulture the magical power to levitate. Levitation is the law of spirituality. Gravity is the impulse toward the material and mundane (physical) world. The vulture denies the material. It's ability to rise, float and soar has been seen as a symbol of movement away from the mundane. It is a symbol of the disintegration of the physical bonds of the world and distributing one's own energy to rise above the situations and attachments of the world of the flesh.

Turkey vultures are known by people who have been around them to be friendly and extremely intelligent. Click here for some examples of this and more information. They are communal creatures, who live in 'roosts' that are sometimes hundreds of years old. That is, the same 'families' of vultures will take over an area of trees and continue to live in them over several generations. No matter how far away they may fly, they always return home to their community.

There is a particularly interesting story on the link above about vultures being 'summoned' by other vultures from long distances to a feed. I'm going to repeat it here, as an example of their seemingly psychic/telepathic abilities:

Turkey Vultures live and work together, in cooperation and friendliness. They communicate with friends and neighbors when they find something to eat. They let the others know where the food is. And when there is a big feast they communicate with neighboring flocks in distant roosts. Also, when they find food they will go to the California Condors and lead them to it. One roost was observed when they had a dead cow in their neighborhood. They somehow contacted a roost of 100 vultures about 30 miles away to come join them. Several days later, before they finished their feast, two more cows died. Within a day the vultures had contacted another roost to join them. At night all the birds visited together in the same or neighboring trees. There were now three different roosts living together. When the cows had been cleaned up the several visiting roosts went home. Now, if there had only been a dead jack rabbit, there would have been no neighboring roost joining our home roost. Somehow, our Turkey Vultures communicated that they had a big one, so come and join us.

Turkey vultures are also very clean birds. They will bathe frequently in the wild, and spend several hours a day preening themselves. In the early morning sun, they will outstretch their wings to dry them from the morning dew, appearing to give honor to the rising sun. Their featherless heads enable them to dip into the entrails of carcasses and remain relatively clean. If they had feathers on their heads, they would accumulate bacteria and infection would ensue. The sunlight also purifies their heads and feathers.

The feathers of a vulture are said to prevent rheumatism. They are also used in rituals for grounding after shamanic shape-shifting ceremonies, facilitating the transition back to one's self. Their feathers are also used to dispell evil and break communications with the spirits and the dead. They are also used to 'discharm' objects that have been 'witched'.

The vulture has no voice. It can only force air through it's beak and hiss. As a totem animal, this signifies the lesson that it is better to be the doer and not the talker.

So, you see, they may not be as pretty as a peacock but there are many characteristics and attributes of the vulture - particularly the turkey vulture, that seem quite magical and worthy of imitation by man.

THE SYMBOLIC QUALITIES OF BIRDS

All birds are powerful totems and like people, they come in many shapes and sizes, with many differing characteristics. The following list is from "Animal Speak" by Ted Andrews...a good book, if you are interested in learning more about totemic animals.

Blackbird - Omens and mysticism, color of fear and promise
Bluebird - Happiness and fulfillment, color of north or east
Canary - Healing power of sound, heightened sensitivity
Catbird - Communication potential, new lessons or opportunities
Chickadee - Sacred number is seven, seeker of truth and knowledge
Crow - Intelligence, watchfulness, magical, past-life connections
Duck - Maternal, graceful and comforting, protective
Eagle - Capable of reaching zenith, great perception, bridging worlds
Finch - New experiences and encounters, wide range, summer solstice
Goose - Story telling, fertility and fidelity, symbol of eight and infinity
Grosbeak - Heals old wounds, family values, past-lives significance
Hawks - Primal life force, fulfillment, spring and autumn equinoxes
Kingfisher - Halcyon days, peace and prosperity, linked to north, blue
Loon - Realizing dreams, haunting and eerie song, imagination
Magpie - Occult knowledge, doorway to new realms, wily and willful
Meadowlark - Cheerfulness, sublimation, inner journey, linked to moon
Nuthatch - Applying wisdom to natural world, groundedness, ethereal
Oriole - Positive energy, reconnecting with inner sunshine, nature spirits
Owl - Silent wisdom and nocturnal vision, healing powers, magical
Peacock - Wisdom and vision, ostentatious, protective and powerful
Pelican - Self-sacrificing, non-competitive, buoyant, rising above trials
Pigeon - Love and security of home, fertility, archetypal energies
Raven - Shapeshifting, messenger or omen, blending human and animal
Robin - New growth, territorial, color link to throat center
Starling - Sociable, communicating diversity, forceful
Stork - Related to humanity, connected to emotions, water, birth process
Swan - Sensitive, emotional, dreamer and mystic, longevity
Swift - Feminine and psychic energies, speed and agility
Turkey - Spiritual connection to Earth Mother, shared blessings
Vulture - Purification, never-ending vigilance, guardian of mysteries
Woodpecker - Weather prophet, drumbeats into other dimensions