A bird flying into your home can be an unsettling experience. Even if you don’t usually suffer from ornithophobia – a fear of birds – having one flapping around in a confined space, desperately trying to escape, can be nerve-wracking.
For many, this experience comes with an extra layer of anxiety, as the event is steeped in spiritual meanings and superstitions, not all of which are positive.
One of the most persistent superstitions is that a bird entering your house foretells bad luck or even an impending death. This belief is especially common in Celtic traditions, where black birds like crows and ravens are often linked to sickness and mortality. The larger and more disruptive the bird, the more ominous the event seems, as their size and frantic movements can cause damage, adding to the unease.
A particularly specific superstition warns that if a bird flies into a house, circles a room, and lands on the back of a chair, the person who usually sits in that chair is next to face the grim reaper, while in Ireland, the presence of a wild bird inside the home is said to signify the illness or death of a woman in the family. However, there’s no statistical evidence to support either of these claims.
Even a bird attempting to enter your home or tapping on a window can be interpreted as a warning of doom. For some, the mere sight of a bird colliding with a window is seen as a sign of imminent family loss. While this may be true for the unfortunate bird itself, it’s worth questioning whether these superstitions hold any real merit.
Because of these beliefs, some people go to great lengths to avoid anything bird-related in their homes. They may refuse to keep pet birds, hang paintings or decorations featuring birds, or even bring feathers into their living spaces, particularly peacock feathers, which are often thought to bring bad luck.
Killing a bird that enters your house is also considered taboo. Beyond being against the law in many countries, harming a bird could lead to tangible bad luck in the form of legal trouble or fines.
Even celebrities haven’t escaped these superstitions. Lucille Ball, for example, had a well-documented fear of birds, and refused to stay in hotels that displayed pictures of birds. She reportedly tore down some expensive Japanese silk wallpaper from her Beverly Hills home after noticing bird motifs in the design. Ball traced her phobia back to childhood when, shortly after her father’s death, a bird flew into her family home and became trapped.
Superstitions surrounding birds don’t stop at your home’s interior. Some believe that herons or bitterns simply flying over your house can bring bad luck. And of course, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds has forever linked the sight of gathering birds with ominous outcomes.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. In many cultures, a bird entering your home is seen as a positive omen, particularly if the bird is white or brightly coloured. These birds are often associated with good luck, opportunities, protection, or harmony.
Doves and pigeons, symbols of peace worldwide, are especially welcome. And if one happens to relieve itself on you during its panicked escape, it’s considered doubly lucky.
In some traditions, birds are seen as messengers. A bird flying into your house might be trying to deliver a message, though deciphering whether it’s good or bad is up to your interpretation.
If a bird appears restless inside your home but doesn’t seem eager to leave, some believe it signifies the presence of a spirit. This isn’t always a negative sign; the spirit could be there to guide you through a challenging time.
Birds are also linked to love and romance. In Indonesia, for example, a sparrow flying into a house is thought to predict a family member’s upcoming marriage or the birth of a baby. A bird attempting to build a nest in your home is viewed as a sign of new life and prosperity.
Like many superstitions, these ideas likely stem from our ancestors’ attempts to make sense of the world before the advent of modern science. Animals’ behaviours, particularly those that crossed the boundary between the wild and the domestic, were often imbued with meaning.
Birds, with their freedom to traverse air, land, and water, were seen as particularly significant. Their presence inside a home, a space symbolically separate from nature, was interpreted as an omen, for better or worse.
Today, most of us recognise that superstitions are irrational. Still, it’s not uncommon for even the most logical among us to hold onto certain beliefs. While a bird flying into your house is almost certainly bad luck for the bird itself, any misfortune that follows is likely coincidental. Remember, correlation does not imply causation.
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August 11, 2025 my boyfriend passed away. Their was already an unsettling feeling that something bad was fixing to happen… We moved into our home, and this owl would perch by us outside night & day, particularly my BF and we would even hear the barred owl schreech “monkey calls” and My BF would always hoot back & forth with the owls no matter night or day. That lasted a few months, then the owl disappeared 2 days before his passing.Then I was telling my Mama about a bird that had flew in our house and he wouldn’t fly out, he landed on my aquarium window, and my black cat attacked him, but I was able to help her get free. And she told me that it’s said to be a bad omen, and an imminent death is near, (supposedly a close friend or family member.)
Yesterday a little wren flew in my house. I opened doors and windows and she flew out fairly quickly. My neighbor told me this morning that a wren flew into her house yesterday also. She was able to get her on her way, but I’m left wondering if it’s an omen. I guess we’ll find out in due time.
A few weeks ago, I returned home from travel after being away for a week. When I entered my house, I felt that something was off. There was dirt and brush near the door. As I walked around the house, I noticed bird poop all over my home. It wasn’t until the next morning that I noticed, a starling lying dead near the opening of the fireplace.
I have never dreamt of birds or anything like this.
I dreamt a robin flew through an open window above my shoulder and calmly flew out again, I felt like it was asking me to follow.
It’s bothered me for days , I can’t shake this strange dream off.
Any thoughts???? Please
Hi Alicia, did you ever end up resolving this feeling? I often refer to dream analysis websites and books to determine what my subconscious is trying to process through sleep. Often times what we are dreaming about is our own brain and body’s way of processing and understanding what is going on emotionally in our real day to day lives. I hope everything is ok. Peace.
I was sweeping the porch and I believe it was sparrow that came in the front door and flapped around and then left quickly. My dog was like, “What in the world!?” But he didn’t chase it outside or anything. I kind of giggled. Then I came in here and looked it up.
We are going on a trip this weekend, (the dog and I) I’m gonna eat a bunch of shrooms and I will report back and let y’all know if I died or not.
Well I hope your trip was fun and all is well
It is worth remembering that statistics show that 105 people die every minute. We all need to die sooner or later. Do not let superstitions frighten you.
I have ornothobia and it’s so crazy. I was hot as hell and I decided to leave my window open overnight. This morning, I could hear the sounds of a pigeon but the sounds were way too loud, so I opened my eyes and to my surprise, there was a pigeon right next to me!!! I freaked out jumped and screamed but it didn’t panic too much. It flew out the window right away. There was window right behind me but it calmly flew out the window that was 6m down. I’m still shaking.
A bird flew in my house. I tried to get it out. I can’t remember much after that. My brother committed suicide a few days later. I’ve always heard the superstition, “a bird in the house means a death in the family”. I guess I have to believe that now. I guess some sayings are believed for a reason.
A bird flew in my house. I tried to get it out. I can’t remember much after that. My brother committed suicide a few days later. I’ve always heard the superstition, “a bird in the house means a death in the family”. I guess I have to believe that now.
Tonight an Onrange-headed thrush (geokichla citrina) flew in my balcon. Are they bad luck or sign something? I’m so worry.
An old-world Sparrow flew into a hole (which they made; a thank you for feeding them I guess, lol) in my bedroom screen a few hours ago. My dog was very calm and so was the bird, which never left the windowsill. I went to get a broom to help push the screen out and then started crying because I noticed two other birds on the opposite of the screen were trying to get their buddy out :-). Not sure what the sign was or the outcome; I’m not made either way.
Just today I was in the living room watching Tv from where I was sitting the door to the sunroom was in the corner of my eyes, and I saw a movement, at first I thought it was a big or something but I went into the sunroom to check it out anyways… I had no clue where it was but I could hear the wings flapping I thought “omg is it a hummingbird?” But it wasn’t it was little brown bird, it kinda had a body like a finch, maybe a sparrow? But its beak was kinda long… Anyways I was tryna to figure out how he got in there while he was flapping around and eventually I had him cornered by the door, but he squeezed his little butt through the crack of the door (It doesn’t close completely on its own) and he disappeared into the backyard. Not long after the same exact bird, or just the same breed of bird, was back in the sunroom this time I tried to catch it with a little pillowcase (It has a open back so I would’ve just held the bird and not have him suffocating in a normal pillowcase) so I could let him out by the trees and he went under this platform I have by my back door so I opened the door and threw the pillowcase down on the other side of the platform and he flew out. I still don’t know how the little guy got in the sunroom? If he came in through the crack of the door why not just leave that way too? Unless they have like really short term memory loss. I’ve also seen like 5 maybe 6 Blue Jays today and I usually only see 1 to 3 in a week.
A sparrow flew into my house for weeks every single day. I even gave her food as soon as i saw her sitting at my window. About a few months later i got pregnant. I didn’t see the sparrow again. I miss it. It’s incredible and true.
I just had a bird fly into my basement. I attempted to get it out but it kept flying from front to back. I’m not sure if he got out so I closed my basement door. Hopefully he will be ok and got out. I love nature and the wild animals and would hate if this bird got injured. How do I ensure that he is out?
Today a pidgeon flew over me while I was in squat position on my terrace (I do this to strech my lower back and train deep diafragm breathing). I didn’t see him nor realised that he entered my flat, I just felt the air moving by his wings. I certainly passed near him to the bedroom without being aware of his presence and after a few minutes I headed back to living room and found him on my dining table eating a slice of bread. He stayed there unfazed by my presence.
What does it mean two birds fly in your house in and out twice in the night time
This just happened to me
OnAugust 28th..23.a little cute brown bird flew in my home.the bird didn’t want to leave.im from S.C from the country. An old folks lure..always said ot meant death.last 8 years it happen.my mom died 1 wk later.so it’s seems to be true.
Really did not understand what you were saying. Sorry about your mom.
I just went in to use the bathroom and discovered a small brown bird flapping around, trying to find a way out. I quickly closed the door, and the bedroom door, went downstairs and opened the door. Came back upstairs after grabbing a broom, slowly opened the door and it had left through the skylight, the way it got in. That’s a ride at 8:45 am.
What is means if a grey feather bird goes in your bedroom buat refuse to fly out?
She’s an old spinster…
A small bird just flew into our home, Ive always knew it means death or illness yet seeing it dance into the house three times as if looking around is a bit scary i try to vodeo but it disappear shortly after
I just had a sparrow do this
I guess your bedroom is cozy and that feathery grey wants to take a nap; thence the reason he or she won’t budge
This evening I had my kitchen door open & a humming bird flew in. We got him out in like 2 maybe 3 minutes. Are humming birds bad luck or sign of death too?
Hummingbirds symbolize good luck
As a child there was a bird pecking at our basement window. It went on for days and would not stop. My
Mother put a board in front of the window thinking it was looking at its reflection or it might break the window. Didn’t deter the bird from pecking. It was really persistent. My father died at the age of 55 right after this of an unexpected stroke.
Maybe it’s like a banshee. Not every family has one or gets the warning? I believe it. I’ve seen it.
My father had a stroke and was in the ICU at a hospital. After visiting him and trying to nap, our front door was open and a gray dove flew into the house, circled our stairs and flew to the back room. This woke me up from trying to nap. The bird was calm but looking to escape. I picked up the bird, pet its wings and within a few minutes it flew out of the window. Unfortunately my father suffered a massive stroke a few days later and within a month we lost him. I truly believe this was a sign of mourning and a warning of my time with my father was coming to an end. I hope you find some sort of peace after losing your father.
Exactly the same thing happened to my sister when she moved into her new house. Her husband done a similar thing to yourselves but the bird kept returning. A few weeks later my sister’s husband went to do his weekly karate and had a fatal heart attack and died instantly. I always think it was a spiritual warning.
I had a small bird fly into my room sometime today don’t get me wrong I’m not a superstitious person but it has me kinda worried
Me too. One just flew into my living room and landed next to my avocado tree in a pot. We got it out, but I remembered my husband died a few days after a bird flew into our home in another city. I hate this. I’m old and sick and don’t want to die.
My son died in a car accident 27th May 2023. Around March I had a large influx of sparrows come into my house [one by one] every day. They went past my cat and my dog forever present inside and on the porch.
I did not know anything about this bird theory until I went on the internet to search for something unrelated and birds came up.
It is the weirdest happening but I believe this superstition because in the 17 years I have lived here I have never had one bird fly in through the sliding doors little alone 5 or 6 of them over a couple of months.
The day after my mums passing a Kookaburra flew into my home, perched on the counter and ate some mini sausages before flying back out.
In 1979 a black bird hit my windshield. I told my friend who was with me that I’m going to have a death in my family. She looked at me like I was crazy. A few hrs later we got a call that my favorite aunt Barbara and my cousin, her son Donavan was murdered with a machetti. I’m still traumatized by it. copegood1@yahoo.com. Sharon
That’s horrible! My condolences ???? ☹️
I went home yesterday and found 2 tiny little birds chirping behind my tv. I thought how bizarre! Not been home for at least a week because I’m slowly moving in with my bf…….wish me luck!
are you okay ?
Wooooow , One Just Flew into My House …
But I have No Relation’s at The Time & I’m 57 ….. !!
There is a baby (European) Robin that has fledged that I see visit my bird feeder most days and often it is near the front of the house, Today, I was working at my desk and the Robin flew in through the open back door and tried to leave through the front windows. It was anxious to get outside.
I opened a window, but it continued to try and leave through a non-opening window. I tried to guide it toward the open window with a magazine, but no success, so I gently picked it up and it perched on my finger as I moved it to the open window and off it went.
I know the superstition about a Robin coming into the house being a sign that someone in the family was about to die. But I wonder if that is the case, I often talk to this Robin outside and hadn’t seen it for a couple of days. It’s always seemed surprisingly friendly and I fear for its safety. But then Robin’s are bold and come close when we are gardening don’t they.
So, I’m conflicted is it a sign that someone is about to die or was it something positive? My initial reaction was concern for the welfare of the bird, to my father in law (our oldest relative) and then concern for my husband who has some health concerns but refuses to go to the doctors.
I guess I’ll find out in due course.
When my mum died, I was planning to travel to see her that day. I awoke early to the insistent and beautiful song of a bird I did not recognize. I dozed and heard what I can only describe as heavenly singing. Soon after I got up to get ready to make the journey I had a phone call from the hospice to say that my mother had passed. I asked the time and she died at the time that I was awoken by the birdsong.
Lyn – your mom came to say goodbye to you and the singing were the angels who surround her. You’re lucky for that. I wish you well and am sorry she passed before you got to see her.
My father was in intensive care( carbon monoxide poisoning). I’m driving my car on a road that’s all bends on the way to hospital. A bird is flying extremely low directly in front of the car with what felt like a very long time,even doing the bends. I had no idea about birds and death connections, but this gave me the chills. I ran into the hospital and said to the nurse if my father had died. No she replied with a smile and asked me why I suspected that. I told her about the bird. A few hours later my father died. His specialist, head of intensive care,who at the time was the worlds head of the hyperbaric oxygen ,said to me if I had seen a bird acting strangely. I said if the nurse had mentioned to him the story about the bird. He replied absolutely not and that a lifetime of working in intensive care,many had told him about bird encounters when their loved ones died. The next day the same nurse came looking for me to give me condolences. I asked her if she told the specialist about my bird story and she said absolutely not. But after my bird story it reminded her that when her father died a bird was constantly walking on her window sill ,back and forth. Yesterday whilst in the garden I heard unusual loud noise from a bird and it dropped dead nearby. Tonight at 11:30 a large bird flew into my husbands study. I’m positive someone in the family will die pretty soon. If anyone ,it should be me. I’m 70 and couldn’t bear the pain of seeing one of my loved ones die. I have been extremely breathless and exhausted recently so it may well be me. I believe in God and the Virgin Mary so don’t fear death ,but oh I so do love life.
4days ago the black bird enter into my house and flying around the room next to my bedroom,today early in the morning I got a call that my grandma died! So ???? bird’s sometime they pass some message,n also bad omen I think.
I remember one rating my window I looked it right in the eyes as it kept racing to it left called my mom about it in as I was talking about it it happened again in I looked it dead in the eyes in it pretty much killed it self not cool .now today a black bird flow in .
Mom passed away on 2021 and I was just curious about the bird because it has came at least 4 times and yesterday one came with a broken wing ui couldnt get it out my sister is pretty sick and i am worried about her I am gonna go see if I can find the birit is a sparrow i thinkd