Almost anywhere you can find cranes living in the wild, you can find cranes in human mythology and popular culture. They are often symbols of happiness, youth, good luck, and/or peace.

In Japan, as in many other parts of Asia, cranes are regarded as symbols of good fortune, peace, and youth. Japanese legend tells that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted one wish.

In China, the Red-crowned Crane is prevalent in mythology. It is a symbol of nobility, as well as youth, longevity, and immortality.

In heraldry or coats of arms, a crane is often shown holding a rock with its foot. The symbolism comes from a legend attributed to Pliny the Elder. He wrote that a group of cranes under attack put one bird on watch. The bird on guard duty would hold a rock; if the crane accidentally fell asleep, the sound of the falling rock would awaken the bird.

The elaborate mating and pair-bonding dances performed by cranes are noted in several cultures. The Blue Crane is prominent in the culture of the Xhosa of southern Africa. Feathers from the bird are used in ceremonies to decorate distinguished men.

In native Siberian culture, the Siberian Crane is sacred, a symbol associated with the sun and spring time.

In Germany, there is a museum devoted entirely to the natural history of the Common Crane! The Kranich Museum is in a renovated manor house in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. There are displays of various pieces of artwork related to the birds, including video, murals, costumes, and other media.

The Sarus Crane is considered sacred in several Indian cultures. They are known as symbols of marital virtue because they mate for life. When a Sarus Crane dies, its mate was believed to starve to death in sorrow.

Cranes are featured in a few of Aesop's fables. In The Geese and the Cranes, a mixed flock of geese and cranes were feeding in a meadow. A birdcatcher came to ensnare them in his nets. The cranes, being light of wing, fled away at his approach; while the geese, being slower of flight and heavier in their bodies, were captured. The moral of this story is that those who are caught are not always the most guilty. Other fables attributed to Aesop that include cranes are The Wolf and the Crane and The Peacock and the Crane.

The Egyptian Plover is a beautiful species of wader that lives in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the common name, their present range does not extend to any part of Egypt. The bird is sometimes known by another name: Crocodile Bird.

During his travels to Egypt in 459 BC, the Greek historian Herodotus recorded a fascinating observation: a small bird, which he identified as the Egyptian Plover, engaging in what appeared to be a symbiotic interaction with a crocodile. According to Herodotus, this bird was seen picking out food from the open mouth of a crocodile, a behavior presumed to be mutually beneficial. The crocodile would receive a thorough cleaning of its teeth, while the bird enjoyed an effortless meal.

However, the reliability of this account has been a subject of debate. Herodotus, known as the world's first historian, was also nicknamed "The Father of Lies," suggesting that some of his observations might have been exaggerated or misinterpreted. The myth of the Crocodile Bird was later revived by explorers and naturalists in the 19th and 20th centuries, with personal eyewitness accounts from a German zoologist and a British birdwatcher. Yet, these accounts have been widely disputed and lack substantial corroborative evidence.

In fact, there is no definitive scientific record of a cleaning symbiotic relationship between any crocodilian species and any bird species. This absence of evidence casts doubt on the validity of the Egyptian Plover's role as a Crocodile Bird.

Despite the questionable authenticity of this behavior, the moniker "Crocodile Bird" undeniably adds an aura of intrigue and mystique to the Egyptian Plover. It's a nickname that captures the imagination, painting a picture of a fearless bird in a daring dance with one of nature's most formidable reptiles. Despite its questionable background, the nickname Crocodile Bird does make the Egyptian Plover sound kind of cool, don't you think?

The Black Swan, a bird steeped in history and symbolism, has traversed an incredible journey from myth to reality in the eyes of Europeans. For over 1,500 years, the term "Black Swan" was a metaphor in European cultures for something that was impossible or did not exist. The prevailing belief was that all swans were white, as evidenced by the only known species at the time, the Mute and Whooper Swans, both predominantly white. Mute Swans and Whooper Swans, both mostly white, were the only species of swan known to western culture at the time. The very idea of a black swan was considered as impossible as a flying pig. 

The discovery of the Black Swan in Australia in the late 1600s by European explorers was nothing short of astonishing. It upended centuries of entrenched beliefs, serving as a powerful reminder of the vastness and mystery of the natural world. The sight of these elegant birds, with their striking black plumage and contrasting red bills was as astounding as stumbling upon a mythical creature.

The Black Swan's presence became a symbol of discovery and the unknown, challenging the limits of people’s understanding of nature. It shifted from a metaphor for the impossible to an emblem of the unexpected and the rare.

In Australia, the Black Swan has assumed a significant cultural role, particularly in Western Australia. Its uniqueness and contrast to the northern hemisphere’s white swans have made it a symbol of Australian identity and the distinctiveness of the antipodean experience. This symbolism is reflected in its prominent inclusion on the flag and coat-of-arms of Western Australia.

The Black Swan’s story is not just about a bird; it’s a narrative that intertwines nature, culture, and history. It represents a paradigm shift in thinking, from the certainty of the known to the acceptance and embrace of the unfamiliar. Australians, especially those in Western Australia, have adopted the Black Swan as a representation of their unique place in the world, celebrating the beauty and diversity of their natural heritage.

If you'd like to read more about Black Swans and pop culture, check out this article.