Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game created by Markus “Notch” Persson and released by Mojang Studios in 2011. In Minecraft, players explore a blocky, procedurally generated 3D world with infinite terrain, and may discover and extract raw materials, craft tools and items, and build structures or earthworks. One of the many mobs that players can encounter in Minecraft is the bird. But what is the origin of this mob and how was it introduced into the game?
History of Birds in Minecraft
Birds were not present in the initial releases of Minecraft. The first bird mob to be added to the game was chickens in Beta 1.2 in January 2011. Chickens spawned naturally in grassy biomes and could be bred using seeds. Their addition provided a useful source of food in the form of raw and cooked chicken, as well as a source of feathers for crafting arrows.
The next bird to be added was the Ender Dragon in Beta 1.9 in February 2011. The Ender Dragon spawned when the player traveled to The End dimension and acted as the final boss mob. Defeating it allowed the player to access the exit portal back to the Overworld. While classified as a boss mob rather than a standard passive mob like chickens, the Ender Dragon’s dragon-like design was bird-inspired.
Addition of Crows
In June 2022, Mojang announced the Wild Update for Minecraft Java Edition 1.19. This update introduced mangrove swamps to the game, and with them, crows. Crows spawned naturally in mangrove swamps and some other forest biomes. Unlike chickens and the Ender Dragon, crows did not provide any resources drops and were simply ambient mobs that added more wildlife diversity. Their idle behavior included circling above the treetops and perching on branches.
Crows were the third bird mob introduced to Minecraft, following chickens and the Ender Dragon. Their addition with the Wild Update continued the trend of birds being included alongside new biomes or dimensions that had a natural habitat for avian wildlife.
Bird Mobs in Minecraft
As of Minecraft Java Edition 1.19 in 2022, there are currently 3 different bird mobs that spawn naturally in various biomes and dimensions:
Chickens
- First added: Beta 1.2 (January 2011)
- Biomes: Grasslands, forests, plains
- Behavior: Passive mob that wanders aimlessly. Will flee from players and other mobs that attack. Can be bred using seeds to produce eggs and baby chickens.
- Drops: Raw chicken, feathers, eggs (rarely)
- Use: Food source, feathers for crafting arrows
Ender Dragon
- First added: Beta 1.9 (February 2011)
- Biomes: The End
- Behavior: Hostile boss mob. Attacks player when provoked. Has dangerous dragon breath attack.
- Drops: Dragon egg, experience
- Use: Provides access to the End exit portal when defeated, dragon egg can be used for teleportation and summoning entities.
Crows
- First added: Java Edition 1.19 (June 2022)
- Biomes: Mangrove swamps, some forest biomes
- Behavior: Passive mob that flies around aimlessly. Will circle high above the trees and perch on branches.
- Drops: None
- Use: Ambient wildlife mob that adds atmosphere.
Unique Traits of Each Bird
Each of the bird mobs in Minecraft has unique traits and gameplay mechanics that distinguish them:
Chickens
- Small passive mob that runs along the ground.
- Only bird mob that is tamable and breedable.
- Provides renewable food and crafting resources.
- Has baby chick growth stages.
- Only mob that naturally lays eggs.
Ender Dragon
- Large hostile boss mob, highest health of any mob.
- Only flying mob that breathes fire-like dragon breath.
- Has intricate portal teleporting behavior when low health.
- Spawns end crystals that can heal it.
- Drops a dragon egg usable for teleportation.
Crows
- Small passive mob that flies freely around the treetops.
- First bird mob capable of perching on blocks and branches.
- Spawns ambiently without need for player breeding.
- Brings more wildlife diversity to the game.
- Specifically associated with mangrove swamps.
Despite all being birds, chickens, the Ender Dragon, and crows have their own distinct appearances, behaviors, habitats, uses, and gameplay mechanics that diversify the avian mobs of Minecraft.
Origins
Now that we’ve covered the history and traits of Minecraft’s bird mobs, let’s examine their real-world origins and inspirations:
Chickens
Chickens in Minecraft are based on the common domestic chicken. This includes features like their small size, pecking animation, egg laying, and tendency to flock together. Chicken mobs draw directly from these characteristics of real life chickens.
Ender Dragon
The Ender Dragon takes inspiration from European dragon legends. It has a long serpentine body with four legs, bat-like wings, and the ability to breathe fire-like dragon breath. The Ender Dragon’s design builds upon myths of formidable dragons as boss enemies.
Crows
Crows are modeled after the behaviors of real-world crows and ravens. Their circling flight pattern, cawing sounds, and ability to perch resemble how corvids move and socialize. Crows add an authentic ambient bird presence using these real-life crow traits.
Uses in Gameplay
Bird mobs serve important gameplay functions in Minecraft survival mode:
Chickens
- Renewable food source from chicken and eggs.
- Feathers for crafting arrows and writing books.
- Farming chickens aids progress in the early game.
Ender Dragon
- Killing it allows accessing The End’s exit portal.
- Provides XP for enchanting tools and gear.
- Dragon egg can be used for teleportation machines.
- Defeating it is considered beating the game and provides a long-term goal.
Crows
- Adds ambience and wildlife diversity.
- Indicates a mangrove swamp biome for building or slime farming.
- No current uses beyond aesthetics and atmosphere.
So in summary, chickens are a critical early game food source, the Ender Dragon provides a climatic boss battle, and crows contribute to biome immersion. The unique utility of each bird complements their distinct gameplay niches.
Modifications by Players
Minecraft’s birds have also been expanded and tweaked by players through mods:
Chickens
Chicken mods like Hatchery, ChickenChunks, and Chickens add new breeds, behaviors, and items involving chickens. These include fertilized eggs, nesting boxes, hatchable roosters vs hens, and chicken-powered machinery like conveyor belts. Chicken mods greatly expand their uses.
Ender Dragon
Mods like BetterEnd and Dragon Fight tweak the Ender Dragon battle by adding new attack phases, custom arenas, respawn abilities, increased difficulty, and enhanced loot. These mods cater to players who want more challenge and complexity from the iconic fight.
Crows
Since they were only recently added, fewer mods currently change crows. But mods like Extra Birds add more bird species like ravens, mockingbirds, vultures, and geese. As crows become more established, more mods will likely customize them further.
Conclusion
To summarize, Minecraft’s bird mobs originate from real-world birds and fantasy inspirations to fulfill key gameplay roles:
- Chickens provide essential early game food and crafting supplies.
- The Ender Dragon acts as a climatic boss battle and gateway to the end game.
- Crows contribute ambient wildlife to biomes like mangrove swamps.
Each bird has unique traits tailored to its purpose in Minecraft’s sandbox world. Players have also expanded birds greatly through mods that add more breeds, behaviors, combat mechanics, and avian diversity. From their origins to their evolving roles, birds continue to be an integral part of Minecraft’s living ecosystems. Their varied gameplay niches, origins, and mod potential show why birds have thrived across many updates from the game’s beta days onwards.