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Birds are a magical force in our lives – they bring us happiness, draw people together, raise our awareness of nature, and encourage compassion, not to mention what can seem like the magical act of flight. Most magical of all are the smiles birds can bring us when we see a new lifer, attract a new species to our feeders, witness a nest, or feel a part of any other of the magical behavior of birds. Even angry birds, with their tempers flared and attitudes at odds, can have a bit of magic and help us smile – especially when we see an epic battle!

Of course, magic is much on the mind this week with the premier of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and there have been many magical birds and flying creatures in the Harry Potter books and movies. Hedwig, Harry’s snowy owl companion, is always a favorite, but don’t forget the other owls of the series, as well as other flying creatures: Fawkes the Phoenix, the various dragons, pixies, the bat-winged thestrals, Buckbeak the Hippogriff, and more. Birds are a magical influence on our literature, art, and movies, and so long as keep making us smile, every bird we see will have its own special magic.

Hogwarts Castle – Photo by Anna Fox