30 Awesome Movie Birds

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix (2007)

The Movie Bird: A phoenix named Fawkes, who is the pet of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

The Awesome: Well, he’s a flamin’ Phoenix, for a start. In the bird hierarchy/pecking order, that surely puts him up in the heavens somewhere.

But Fawkes is also a loyal friend, and helps Dumbledore escape (in a blaze of fire) when he’s accused of recruiting young wizards into an army.

If We Had To Cook Them: Not sure that’s actually possible, considering this bird’s made mostly out of flame...

Mars Attacks! (1996)

The Movie Bird: A white dove.

The Awesome: Released as a symbol of peace when mankind makes first contact with an alien race, this elegant flapper catches the attention of the newly-landed ETs, who look up in wonder – before firing their lasers and deep-frying the poor animal. Wickedly funny.

If We Had To Cook Them: It’d be served very well done, erring on the side of crispy.

The Dark Crystal (1982)

The Movie Bird: The Skeksis - warped, shuffling, mean-spirited horrors from another world.

The Awesome: They’re just so vile and malicious, they can’t help but being awesome antagonists. Especially Chamberlain, who has his own whining whimper and shows keen skill in manipulation.

If We Had To Cook Them: They’d probably amount to nothing more than gristle and bone. A meal for the dogs, then.

Aladdin (1992)

The Movie Bird: Iago, the parrot sidekick and aid to nasty power-hungry Grand Vizier Jafar.

The Awesome: “Oh that’s a big surprise! I think I’m gonna have a heart attack and DIE from not surprise!”

Sarcastic to the extreme and with the voice of a New Jersey hawt dawg vendor, Iago’s a little red feathery ball of sardonic misery.

If We Had To Cook Them: We’d cook him really slowly, just to make him pay for his vicious words.

Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

The Movie Bird: Giant Eagles (including Gwaihir) who come from the Misty Mountains.

The Awesome: Massive eagles are a sight to see, but what about really massive giant eagles big enough to carry a grown man on their back?

That's what Gandalf does when eagle Gwaihir saves him from Lord Saruman. Gorgeous, graceful and undeniably awesome.

If We Had To Cook Them: We’d need a giant oven like the one they use in Bruce Almighty to make that massive cookie.

Finding Nemo (2003)

The Movie Bird: A flock of hungry Australian seagulls.

The Awesome: “Mine? Mine? Mine?” Exemplifying exactly why Pixar are celebrated as the best in their field, these one-word birds could easily have been boring bit players.

Instead, they’re hysterical and an essential addition to a diverse menagerie of Finding Nemo 's creatures.

If We Had To Cook Them: We'd probably still be able to hear them chattering away from inside the oven.

Chicken Run (2000)

The Movie Bird: A pen of very Northern chickens, like.

The Awesome: Instead of being paltry, this brood of poultry is endlessly entertaining – watching them is like tuning in to a tea-time episode of Coronation Street , with added knitting.

Most adorable is Babs, who’s got nothing but feathers for brains.

If We Had To Cook Them: We’d make them into a nice pie. Yes, that sounds just right.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)

The Movie Bird: Snowy owl Hedwig, the loyal pet/friend of boy wizard Harry Potter.

The Awesome: After serving Harry for almost seven years, Hedwig ends up bravely giving her life in protection of her master. Flying in the face of a Death Eater, Hedwig’s done in by a Killing Curse. RIP.

If We Had To Cook Them: We’d use a cauldron and add a bit of frog leg and eye of newt for good measure.

Stewart Little 2 (2002)

The Movie Bird: Margalo, a bright-coloured canary who’s being hunted by a peregrine falcon.

The Awesome: Sartorial style aside (just check out that cool pilot hat), Margalo is one clever cookie – she bargains with the falcon who’s hunting her to keep his beady eyes anywhere but on her.

Of course that means lying to love interest Stuart, but it all comes out in the wash eventually.

If We Had To Cook Them: We’d have her sing for us first, then sauté her with veggies. Canary’s have lovely voices, y’know.

Ladyhawke (1985)

The Movie Bird: An enchanted hawk.

The Awesome: This enchanted hawk isn’t just any enchanted hawk – it’s also the bird form of Michelle Pfeiffer. In short, Pfeiffer plays Isabeau, a young woman who falls in love with a guard captain called Navarre (Rutger Hauer).

But the lovers are cursed by a jealous Bishop so that Isabeau turns into a hawk by day, and Navarre into a wolf by night.

If We Had To Cook Them: We’d have to cook her while she’s still a bird, otherwise that’s cannibalism.