Mankind has a fascination with birds. This has been true for thousands and thousands of years. At one time they seemed almost mystical and heaven sent. Many religions have incorporated the bird as either a form of a god, or a messenger of a god or goddess. Throughout literature there are many references to birds as signs of the future. Even movies and music have taken inspiration from these wild animals and added their image to the media.

For the Ancient Egyptians the bird was very significant. It was so significant because Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, was depicted as a man/falcon. Throughout Egypt he was worshiped because he held dominion over the sun and the moon. One of the greatest feats that Horus accomplished was defeating Set, the god of storms, chaos and the desert. People could gain Horus’s favor by worshipping him and paying homage to his temples.

Exotic birds such as the falcon have always claimed humanity’s attention. Wild birds are the epitome of freedom. They sail through the skies without masters and do as they wish. They cannot be truly tamed. Even those that use falcons and hawks as gaming birds know that these species of birds can turn vicious and unpredictable if they are not treated properly and trained well. It can take years for a falcon or a hawk to be gentled. Perhaps that is why you do not see many people trying to own these birds. In medieval times it was common for lords to become falconers.

The bird will always remain a part of society. Whether it is through religious messages, literature, movies or music, birds are here to stay. Mankind has a fascination with the sky and the ability of wild birds to fly unfettered and free. The homage that people pay may be as simple as taking birding tours to see exotic birds or it may be a keen fascination with understanding the role that birds have played in history.