Birds are mentioned throughout the Bible, and they have been used to symbolize faith and hope throughout scripture. In the Old Testament, there are many mentions of birds providing food for the people of Israel or being used as messengers by God. In the New Testament, Jesus uses bird metaphors to illustrate important lessons about faith and trust.
Birds are not always mentioned positively in the bible. In Leviticus we see references to “clean” and “unclean” birds.
It is interesting to see how each bird mentioned in the Bible has its own unique significance and meaning. Below is a list of 25 different kinds of birds that are found in the Bible and some relevant bible passages. Whether you’re researching biblical birds or just curious about the birds mentioned in the bible, I hope you find this list helpful.
25 Birds in the Bible
Bat – Leviticus 11:19
Cormorant – Leviticus 11:17, Isaiah 34:11
Crane – Isaiah 38:14, Jeremiah 8:7
Desert Owl – Psalm 102:6
Dove – Genesis 8:8-12, Psalm 55:6, Song of Solomon 6:9, Isaiah 38:14, Matthew 10:16, Mark 1:10, John 1:32
Eagle – Leviticus 11:13, Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11, Job 39:27, Psalm 103:5, Isaiah 40:31, Jeremiah 48:40, Jeremiah 49:16, Hosea 8:1, Obadiah 1:4, Luke 17:37, Revelation 4:7
Great Owl – Leviticus 11:17, Deuteronomy 14:16, Isaiah 34:15
Hawk – Leviticus 11:16, Job 39:26
Hen – Matthew 23:37
Heron – Leviticus 11:19
Kite – Leviticus 11:14, Deuteronomy 14:13
Osprey (Gier Eagle) – Leviticus 11:18
Owl – Leviticus 11:17, Deuteronomy 14:16, Job 30:29, Isaiah 13:21, Isaiah 34:11-15, Jeremiah 50:39, Micah 1:8
Partridge – 1 Samuel 26:20, Jeremiah 17:11
Pelican – Leviticus 11:18, Psalm 102:6
Pigeon – Genesis 15:9, Leviticus 1:14, Luke 2:24
Quail – Exodus 16:13, Number 11:31-32, Psalm 105:40
Raven – Genesis 8:7, Isaiah 34:11, 1 Kings 17:6, Luke 12:24
Rooster – Matthew 26:34, Matthew 26:74-75
Screech Owl – Isaiah 34:14
Sparrow – Psalm 84:3, Matthew 10:29, Luke 12:6-7
Stork – Leviticus 11:19, Psalm 104:17, Jeremiah 8:7, Zechariah 5:9
Swallow – Psalm 84:3, Proverbs 26:2, Isaiah 38:14, Jeremiah 8:7
Swan – Leviticus 11:18
Vulture – Leviticus 11:13, Isaiah 34:15