Why Blackbirds?
by Saralyn Richard
Blackbirds are middle-sized birds with beautiful singing voices. Similar to ravens, the blackbirds have glossy black feathers. As nocturnal animals, they have often been linked to darkness and mystery, and they have often been the subjects of poets, novelists, and artists of all types. In addition, blackbirds are considered among the most intelligent, intuitive birds, based on their unique bird calls for different purposes and their strategic behaviors. Because of their intelligence, they are often used to symbolize knowledge. Some societies use blackbirds as totems or as spiritual animals.
Blackbirds in Literature
Various cultures view blackbirds differently, with attitudes ranging from positive to negative. For example, blackbirds are the national birds of Sweden, and their proud images grace currency, stamps, and other government documents. At the same time, in other countries, they are viewed as portenders of bad luck and evil.
Literature, especially, has loved the blackbird, with countless famous examples of the intuitive animals appearing in books, poems, plays, and songs. Who can’t forget Wallace Stevens’ “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” the song “Bye Bye Blackbird,” or the four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie? And, of course, Edgar Allan Poe’s raven has become perhaps the most well-known symbol of the “dark and dreary,” so much so, that the black bird is the Mystery Writers’ of America mascot.
The Blackbirds’ Song
While our “songs” may be different, our purpose is singular. We want this blog to be inspirational, informative, interesting, but, above all, interactive. We want you to learn from us, but we also want to learn from you. If you’ll soar with us by commenting or asking questions as we go along we promise to create content that’s relevant to you.
Each week a different author will take the helm, offering new perspectives. We hope you’ll subscribe and share our website with your fellow lovers of literature. If mystery is your passion, join us in honoring some of the best and the brightest in the genre. Join the flock.
Our nest is your nest. Please use the comment section to let us know what topics you’d like to see in future blog posts. Our authors will try to answer your questions and meet your needs.
Also, meet the authors on Facebook, Instagram and Substack for more conversations. When the time is right, we’ll fly together.