Birds are all around us. We see them in trees, on wires, or flying in the sky. Some people keep birds as pets. Others enjoy feeding them in their yards. Birds come in many shapes and colors. They can sing, chirp, or squawk. Because birds are a big part of our lives, people have made sayings about them. These sayings are called idioms.
Idioms are fun ways to say something. They don’t always mean what the words sound like. For example, if someone says, “She’s a night owl,” it doesn’t mean she’s really an owl. It means she stays up late. In this article, you will learn idioms about birds. You will see what they mean and how to use them. These idioms can help you understand more when you read or talk with others.
Idioms for Birds
1. Early bird
Meaning: A person who gets up or starts something early.
To Provide an Example: Mia woke up before sunrise. She’s an early bird. / Dad is an early bird—he always waters the plants at 6 a.m.
Alternative Meaning: Someone who is ready before others. / A person who doesn’t like to be late.
2. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People who are alike become friends.
To Provide an Example: Jake and Liam both love soccer. They’re birds of a feather. / The girls who love art sit together. Birds of a feather flock together.
Alternative Meaning: Friends usually share the same interests. / People who are similar stay close.
3. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Do two things at the same time.
To Provide an Example: We went to the store and dropped off mail—two birds with one stone. / I cleaned my room and found my toy.
Alternative Meaning: Get more than one job done at once. / Finish two tasks in one try.
4. Free as a bird
Meaning: Feeling happy and not tied down.
To Provide an Example: After school ended, I felt free as a bird. / On summer break, Emma felt free as a bird.
Alternative Meaning: Not having any worries. / Able to do what you want.
5. A little bird told me
Meaning: I heard a secret, but I won’t say who told me.
To Provide an Example: A little bird told me it’s your birthday. / I heard about your new puppy—but I won’t say who told me.
Alternative Meaning: I found out something quietly. / I know a secret.
6. Nest egg
Meaning: Money saved for later.
To Provide an Example: Grandma has a nest egg for emergencies. / We’re saving a nest egg for vacation.
Alternative Meaning: Extra money put aside. / Something saved for the future.
7. Feather your nest
Meaning: Save money or make things better at home.
To Provide an Example: Mom feathered her nest by getting a new couch. / Dad is saving money to feather his nest.
Alternative Meaning: Make your life more comfortable. / Improve your home or savings.
8. As proud as a peacock
Meaning: Feeling very proud of yourself.
To Provide an Example: Lucas was proud as a peacock after scoring a goal. / She showed her drawing like a proud peacock.
Alternative Meaning: Happy with what you did. / Showing off in a happy way.
9. Chicken out
Meaning: Be too scared to do something.
To Provide an Example: I wanted to try the big slide but chickened out. / He chickened out of singing in class.
Alternative Meaning: Get too nervous. / Decide not to do it.
10. Eat like a bird
Meaning: Eat very little.
To Provide an Example: She only had two bites. She eats like a bird. / He ate one grape and said he was full.
Alternative Meaning: Not hungry. / Eats very small amounts.
11. Goosebumps
Meaning: Tiny bumps on your skin when you’re cold or scared.
To Provide an Example: I got goosebumps when the wind blew. / That scary story gave me goosebumps.
Alternative Meaning: A sign you are cold. / A feeling of fear or excitement.
12. Wild goose chase
Meaning: A silly or hopeless search.
To Provide an Example: We looked for the missing sock all day—a wild goose chase. / Finding the right puzzle piece felt like a wild goose chase.
Alternative Meaning: A search that leads nowhere. / Trying something that doesn’t work.
13. Like a duck to water
Meaning: Learn something quickly and easily.
To Provide an Example: Lily learned to skate like a duck to water. / He started playing piano like a duck to water.
Alternative Meaning: Good at something right away. / Feels natural doing it.
14. Mother hen
Meaning: Someone who watches over others carefully.
To Provide an Example: Maya is like a mother hen—she always checks on her friends. / My mom is a mother hen when I’m sick.
Alternative Meaning: Very caring. / Always looking out for others.
15. Chicken scratch
Meaning: Messy or hard-to-read handwriting.
To Provide an Example: I couldn’t read his note—it looked like chicken scratch. / My math work was chicken scratch, so I rewrote it.
Alternative Meaning: Writing that’s hard to understand. / Very sloppy letters.
16. Birds-eye view
Meaning: A look at something from above.
To Provide an Example: From the treehouse, I had a birds-eye view of the yard. / We saw a birds-eye view of the fair from the ride.
Alternative Meaning: Seeing everything at once. / Looking at the big picture.
17. Eagle eye
Meaning: Very good eyesight or great attention to detail.
To Provide an Example: She spotted my lost toy with her eagle eye. / Grandpa has an eagle eye when he plays checkers.
Alternative Meaning: Sees small things clearly. / Notices tiny details.
18. Ugly duckling
Meaning: Someone who grows into something special.
To Provide an Example: He was shy at first, but now he’s a star—like an ugly duckling. / That plain building became a fun place—an ugly duckling story.
Alternative Meaning: A quiet or plain start that becomes great. / A surprise change for the better.
19. Swan song
Meaning: The last thing someone does before stopping.
To Provide an Example: Her last school play was her swan song. / That story was his swan song before summer break.
Alternative Meaning: A final effort. / The last big thing before ending.
20. Night owl
Meaning: A person who stays up late.
To Provide an Example: Kevin is a night owl—he plays games after bedtime. / I’m a night owl on weekends when I watch movies.
Alternative Meaning: Someone who likes nighttime. / Not sleepy early.
21. Chicken out
Meaning: Get too scared to do something.
To Provide an Example: I wanted to sing but chickened out. / He chickened out of jumping in the pool.
Alternative Meaning: Got nervous. / Changed their mind out of fear.
22. As light as a feather
Meaning: Very light in weight.
To Provide an Example: The kitten was as light as a feather. / Her new backpack felt light as a feather.
Alternative Meaning: Easy to carry. / Not heavy at all.
23. Nesting instinct
Meaning: Wanting to make a place safe or nice.
To Provide an Example: Mom cleaned everything before the baby came—her nesting instinct. / I set up my room with lights and posters.
Alternative Meaning: Getting ready to feel cozy. / Wanting a nice space.
24. Like a bird in a cage
Meaning: Feeling trapped or stuck.
To Provide an Example: On rainy days, I feel like a bird in a cage. / He felt like a bird in a cage doing long homework.
Alternative Meaning: Not free to move. / Stuck inside.
25. The early bird gets the worm
Meaning: People who start early get the best things.
To Provide an Example: She came early and got front-row seats. / I woke up early and got the last donut.
Alternative Meaning: Being early helps. / First to act gets a reward.
26. Flap your wings
Meaning: Try something on your own.
To Provide an Example: It’s time to flap your wings and ride your bike. / She flapped her wings and made her own lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Do things by yourself. / Be more independent.
27. Hen party
Meaning: A fun get-together for girls or women.
To Provide an Example: The moms had a hen party with tea and cookies. / My sister had a hen party before her wedding.
Alternative Meaning: A girl-only party. / A time for ladies to chat and laugh.
28. As wise as an owl
Meaning: Very smart.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa is as wise as an owl. / She solved the puzzle fast—wise as an owl.
Alternative Meaning: Full of good ideas. / Knows a lot.
29. Feathered friend
Meaning: A bird.
To Provide an Example: I saw my feathered friend, the robin, today. / My feathered friend sings outside my window.
Alternative Meaning: A bird buddy. / A bird that feels like a pet.
30. Fly the coop
Meaning: Leave home or a safe place.
To Provide an Example: My sister flew the coop and went to college. / The puppy flew the coop and ran outside.
Alternative Meaning: Go out on your own. / Leave a place.
31. Like a headless chicken
Meaning: Rushing around in a panic.
To Provide an Example: I forgot my shoes and ran like a headless chicken. / He was late and ran like a headless chicken.
Alternative Meaning: Running without thinking. / Moving fast in a mess.
32. Rule the roost
Meaning: Be the boss of a place.
To Provide an Example: Mom rules the roost at home. / My cat rules the roost on the sofa.
Alternative Meaning: In charge. / Makes the rules.
33. Get your feathers ruffled
Meaning: Get upset or annoyed.
To Provide an Example: He got his feathers ruffled when I moved his toy. / She ruffled her feathers when she lost the game.
Alternative Meaning: Feel bothered. / Get mad or fussy.
34. One’s goose is cooked
Meaning: Someone is in trouble.
To Provide an Example: If I break the vase, my goose is cooked. / He didn’t do his homework—his goose is cooked.
Alternative Meaning: In big trouble. / Things are going badly.
35. Sitting duck
Meaning: Easy to catch or trick.
To Provide an Example: Without my umbrella, I was a sitting duck in the rain. / He was a sitting duck during hide and seek.
Alternative Meaning: Not able to escape. / Easy target.
36. Happy as a lark
Meaning: Feeling very cheerful.
To Provide an Example: She was happy as a lark on her birthday. / I felt happy as a lark with ice cream in my hand.
Alternative Meaning: In a great mood. / Full of joy.
37. Watch like a hawk
Meaning: Watch very closely.
To Provide an Example: The teacher watched the hallway like a hawk. / Mom watches the oven like a hawk when cookies bake.
Alternative Meaning: Keep a close eye on something. / Watch carefully.
38. As silly as a goose
Meaning: Very silly or funny.
To Provide an Example: My little brother is silly as a goose. / We were silly as geese on the playground.
Alternative Meaning: Acting funny. / Being goofy.
39. Take someone under your wing
Meaning: Help or take care of someone.
To Provide an Example: My teacher took me under her wing when I was new. / I took my cousin under my wing at the party.
Alternative Meaning: Guide someone. / Be kind and helpful.
40. Like water off a duck’s back
Meaning: Not bothered at all.
To Provide an Example: He didn’t mind the teasing—like water off a duck’s back. / I dropped my cookie, but it was like water off a duck’s back.
Alternative Meaning: Doesn’t let things bother you. / Stays calm no matter what.
41. Feather in your cap
Meaning: Something to be proud of.
To Provide an Example: Winning the art contest was a feather in my cap. / Scoring a goal felt like a feather in my cap.
Alternative Meaning: A special achievement. / Something good you did.
42. Fly off the handle
Meaning: Get mad quickly.
To Provide an Example: He flew off the handle when he lost his game. / I dropped the milk, and Dad flew off the handle.
Alternative Meaning: Got upset fast. / Lost their temper.
43. Crows about it
Meaning: Talks a lot about what they did.
To Provide an Example: She crows about her spelling test score. / He crows about winning the race.
Alternative Meaning: Brags a lot. / Tells everyone about success.
44. Swan around
Meaning: Walk around like you’re very important.
To Provide an Example: She swanned around in her new dress. / He swanned around like the class was his.
Alternative Meaning: Acting fancy. / Walking with pride.
45. Birds and the bees
Meaning: Talk about growing up.
To Provide an Example: Mom had a birds and bees talk with me. / The teacher spoke about the birds and the bees in science class.
Alternative Meaning: A talk about life changes. / Learning about where babies come from.
46. As busy as a bee
Meaning: Working a lot.
To Provide an Example: I was busy as a bee with homework. / She’s busy as a bee before the play.
Alternative Meaning: Doing many things. / Always moving.
47. Nestle like birds
Meaning: Cuddle close.
To Provide an Example: We nestled like birds on the couch during the movie. / The baby nestled like a bird in mom’s arms.
Alternative Meaning: Snuggle up. / Stay close and warm.
48. Pecking order
Meaning: Who gets to go first or lead.
To Provide an Example: In our class, there’s a pecking order for lining up. / My cousins have a pecking order for picking games.
Alternative Meaning: A group’s order of turns. / Who goes before who.
49. As graceful as a swan
Meaning: Moving smoothly or nicely.
To Provide an Example: She danced as graceful as a swan. / He moved across the stage like a swan.
Alternative Meaning: Moves gently. / Looks nice while moving.
50. Fly high
Meaning: Do very well.
To Provide an Example: She flew high after passing her test. / I’m flying high after making the team.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling great. / Succeeding at something.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Birds
- On Saturday, I woke up before everyone else like an __________.
- My little brother eats so little—he eats like a __________.
- When I got my spelling test back, I was proud as a __________.
- My teacher saw my note-passing with her __________.
- At the sleepover, we were as silly as a __________.
- I forgot my shoes and ran around like a __________.
- Dad was mad when I spilled juice and flew off the __________.
- At the zoo, we got a __________ view of all the animals from the tower.
- Grandma always saves money for later. She has a little __________ egg.
- I was cold in the movie theater and got __________.
- When I didn’t do my homework, I knew my __________ was cooked.
- Mom helped me with my school project. She took me under her __________.
- He talks all day about his new bike—he really __________ about it.
- My cousin got the last cookie because the early bird gets the __________.
- On rainy days, I feel like a bird in a __________.
Answer Key
- early bird
- bird
- peacock
- eagle eye
- goose
- headless chicken
- handle
- bird’s-eye
- nest
- goosebumps
- goose
- wing
- crows
- worm
- cage
Conclusion
Bird idioms can help you understand and enjoy language more. These sayings make reading and talking fun. Even if the words sound strange, the meaning can be simple.
Now that you’ve learned many bird idioms, try to listen for them in books, shows, or even at school. The more you use them, the more you will remember. Like birds learning to fly, you get better with practice.
