Birds are amazing creatures who many perceive as representing freedom as they are never tied down to one place and can fly freely wherever they choose.  They have been intriguing mankind for ages. With more than 10,000 species to choose from there is a lot of avian inspiration.

Some of the most popular birds used in tattoo designs are:

Swallow

The swallow is a popular choice in nautical style artwork and often symbolizes hope, loyalty, protection or good luck. Besides the eagle (see further down the page), the swallow is possibly the best bird tattoo for those in the military considering their love for the see and the fact that many people in the military are very proud to be loyal and want to provide protection to their country.

Dove

This bird is seen as the symbol of peace and love. If holding an olive branch it can be a symbol of victory. The dove can also signify family or new beginnings. As you can see, there are plenty of great bird tattoo meanings associated with the dive, which is why it’s surprising that it is not a more popular bird tattoo. If you want more peace in your life or just want the world to be a more peaceful place, the dive tattoo might be perfect for you.

Owl

Owls are revered as being very wise creatures, thus making them an ideal choice for a tattoo for one wanting to reflect a sense of knowledge. They can also be seen as being secretive. What’s great about the owl tattoo is that you can be sure you will have an attractive bird with some fantastic meanings regardless of the design you end up going with. The owl is quickly shooting up the charts of most popular bird tattoos.

Phoenix

Although an immortal mythical creature, the Phoenix is widely chosen to symbolize the circle of life, survival and loyalty. It also happens to be extremely attractive on the skin, which is why it is a popular bird tattoo even if, unlike all of the others on this list, it isn’t a real bird. It’s a waste not to get the phoenix as detailed as possible, so be sure to work with a great artist in your area so they can give you a phoenix tattoo you can be really proud of.