The proverb “birds of a feather flock together” refers to the tendency for people to associate with others who are similar to themselves. It means that people who share interests, beliefs, or backgrounds are likely to spend time together and gravitate towards one another. This proverb has a long history and has been documented in various forms since at least the 16th century.
Early Origins
The earliest known version of this proverb can be traced back to 1545, when the English poet and playwright William Turner wrote in his moral treatise The Rescuing of Romish Fox: “Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.” This early version highlights the observation that birds of the same species and color tend to congregate in flocks, implying a parallel tendency among humans.
In 1579, the English poet George Gascoigne used a similar phrase in his verse satire The Steele Glas: “But birdes of a feather will flocke togither.” The metaphor became more popular in the 17th century and evolved into various versions such as “birds of a feather sing together” and “birds of a feather will fly together.”
By the mid 17th century, the expression had become standardized in its current form. In 1659, the English writer Thomas Fuller included the modern version in his religious treatise The Appeal of Injured Innocence: “If you lie with Dogs, you will rise with Fleas. As they use to say: Birds of a Feather will flock together.”
Possible Influences
The concept behind this proverb likely originated from a few key observations of birds in nature:
- Birds of the same species often congregate and travel together in flocks for migration, protection, and socialization.
- Certain bird species only flock with their own kind and avoid intermingling with other species.
- Birds choose companions with shared traits like plumage color and patterns, calls and songs, feeding behaviors, and nesting habits.
- Young birds learn flocking behavior from their parents and continue to associate with the same species as adults.
Ancient naturalists made note of these tendencies and drew parallels to human inclinations towards friendships and associations based on shared traits, interests, beliefs, and backgrounds. Thus the bird metaphor served as a useful illustration of a common societal phenomenon.
Meaning and Message
This proverb points to the human tendency to forge bonds and relationships with those they perceive as being similar to themselves in some way. Some key implications and messages conveyed by this metaphor include:
- People seek out others who share common interests, experiences, occupations, beliefs, values, and social status.
- Relationships and friendships are often built on some form of identified common ground.
- Social groups and communities tend to form among individuals with shared traits, lifestyles, backgrounds, and goals.
- People feel safer, more secure, and more comfortable associating with perceived peers.
- Shared identity, similarities, and familiarity help foster a sense of belonging.
- Segregation along social class or other factors results from bonding with “own kind.”
Overall, this proverb suggests that similarities act as a bonding agent in human relationships and social networks. People have an innate drive to seek acceptance and camaraderie with those they deem to be of a feather.
Usages and Examples
This common proverb is often used to describe or remark on various social dynamics and human behavior patterns:
- Cliques forming among groups of people with shared interests or backgrounds
- Romantic couples bonding over common personalities, hobbies, values, and habits
- Friends drifting apart after no longer having similarities tying them together
- People grouping together and becoming isolated from the diversity around them
- Stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination occurring between groups based on perceived differences
- Work colleagues establishing better rapport through discovering mutual experiences
Some examples of the proverb used in sentences include:
- Jenny has found that as she gets older, she spends most of her time with birds of a feather who flock together at book club meetings and wine parties.
- Bill and Tom were friends in high school but birds of a feather flock together, so when Tom went away to college they lost the closeness from running on the track team.
- Sociologists may attribute the economic disparities among communities to the fact that birds of a feather flock together, with the well-off clustering in certain neighborhoods.
- If you expect to fit in at a church, keep in mind that birds of a feather flock together – people make friends based on shared beliefs.
Similar Idioms and Proverbs
Some other idioms and proverbs that have a similar meaning or message as “birds of a feather flock together” include:
- Like attracts like
- Opposites attract
- Water seeks its own level
- Hares run by themselves, sheep flock together
- Alike likes alike
- Two heads are better than one
- Love me, love my dog
- Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are
While “opposites attract” presents a counterview, most of these phrases also convey the message that similarities form a basis for attraction and bonding between people. The proverb about hares running alone while sheep flock together makes the same comparison using mammals rather than birds.
Conclusion
In summary, the enduring proverb “birds of a feather flock together” has its roots in medieval English poetry. It evolved across centuries into the version we know today and arose from astute observations of how birds socialize and congregate. The proverb metaphorically expresses the human tendency to forge friendships, relationships, and social alliances based on identified common ground. People intrinsically seek out and feel most comfortable bonding with others they perceive as sharing similar traits, backgrounds, values, or experiences. This proverb offers guidance for understanding various social patterns and phenomena. Next time you observe people clustering into groups, reflect on the age-old wisdom that birds of a feather flock together.