• The hummingbird represents positivity and is most often associated with symbols of good luck, joy, freedom and optimism 
• The swallow is a traditional sailors’ tattoo linked with renewal, hope, growth and the start of a new chapter, and was also a sign that landfall had been reached 
• The owl symbolizes wisdom, but is sometimes thought of as an omen of approaching death 
• The dove has symbolized peace and prosperity from pre-biblical times  
• Crows are associated with darkness, the Underworld, and the occult, but also intelligence and dreams/visions 

Also, in the US birds linked to educational institutions or sporting teams are popular design choices, such as the cardinal, raven, or eagle. 

See more about – 60 Bird Tattoos for Men

What is the difference between swallow and sparrow tattoos?  

Both birds are popular in neo traditional and American traditional small tattoo art. Swallows are streamlined with bright coloring, while sparrows are more rounded and stockier with brown plumage. 

In terms of meaning and symbolism the sparrow is still an auspicious omen but has no connection to nautical history, while swallows represent some of the tattoo world’s oldest symbolic designs – they were often a sign that a seafarer had travelled over 5000 miles on ocean voyages. 

What does a silhouetted flock of birds tattoo symbolize? 

Birds are tremendous tattoo examples of an individual’s wish to soar and be free. Often, a simple yet effective way to express this freedom in tattoo is to show a flock of birds in flight or at rest (such as on a wire).  

Silhouettes are utilized as an application feature to fully realize the idea of freedom and movement without having to display heavy details in an otherwise small design, which works from both a cost control and style standpoint. 

See more about – 100 Silhouette Tattoo Designs