This week: Our feathered friends (fiends) Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon  
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Quote for the week:
"Her cold wind calls, and so I follow.
No time to rest my weary bones.
I hear her voice, and my heart grows hollow.
Best not walk these woods alone.
Best keep to the roads and out of the shadows.
Best get on home.
Best to leave them ghosts alone."
~From "The Land Unknown" by Landon Blood.
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I have always been fascinated by birds, so it was surprising for me to learn that some people are afraid of them. Approximately 5% of the population may suffer from some degree of ornithophobia, or fear of birds.
Ornithophobia probably results from a bad childhood experience with birds. Some birds, such as geese are quite aggressive and may chase humans, especially when protecting their young. Some beachgoers have had the unfortunate experience of a gull flying down to snatch a hot dog out of their hands. Birds of prey, such as hawks, eagles, and owls can be frightening because of their size, especially if a person has seen one carry off a rabbit or other small animal. Pigeons sometimes travel in large flocks in cities and don't seem to be too afraid of people. Some domestic birds, such as roosters and turkeys can be quite loud and aggressive. One farm family I know had a tom turkey that was a better watchdog than their dogs. Large groups of starlings, or murmurations, move together in patterns that almost seem choreographed.
Some birds, such as crows, ravens, and parrots are quite intelligent, with an IQ similar to that of a three or four year old human child. Because of this, they are able to learn to perform fairly complex tasks, such as pattern recognition and use of tools. These same groups also have the ability to mimic human speech and other sounds. An African grey parrot named Alex was the subject of a 30 year study of animal communication and learning. Alex knew about 100 words and at least in some cases, he seemed to know what he was saying. In some cases, he seemed to make up words of his own, such as calling an apple a "banerry," which seemed to be a combination of banana and cherry.
In addition to their intelligence, crows and ravens can seem spooky because of their dark color and loud calls. Probably the most famous avian figure in horror is the subject Edgar Allen Poe's poem "The Raven," a mysterious bird that only uttered the word "Nevermore!"
Many people who grew up in the 60s can trace their ornithophobia to the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock film, "The Birds." The movie was based on a 1952 short story of the same name by Daphne DuMaurier. The movie focuses on sudden, violent, and unexplained bird attacks on people in Bodega Bay, California. In spite of special effects that seem amateurish today, the movie is considered one of the most significant horror films of all time. The bird attacks are never really explained, which means audience members can interpret them for themselves. Hitchcock stated in an interview that the birds may be attacking humans for taking nature for granted. It may also symbolize the power of many small, seemingly insignificant beings working together.
Something to try: Write a horror story that involves a bird. |
| | The Passenger (13+)
A man takes the night train home for the first time. Will he make it to his stop?
#2327844 by Jeremy  |
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Horror/Scary: February 26, 2025 Issue [#13001]
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