We associate Christmas with a beautiful Christmas tree and Christmas decorations. Bird motifs often appear on various materials, napkins, bedding, cloths, baubles, etc., not to mention Christmas cards, where bird images reign supreme. What species of birds are used for Christmas decorations? Well, mainly those that can currently be seen outside the window or in the field. These include: the Bullfinch, the Great Tit, the Blue Tit, the Waxwing, and less frequently the mice, the Long-tailed Tit and the Sparrow. However, the image of the Robin is most often used, and this is probably related to the legend about it.
According to this legend, Mary, taking care of the newborn Jesus, asked the animals present in the Stajenka to take care of the fire. Neither of them wanted to gently blow the heat, except for the little brown bird. It was a juvenile Robin that does not yet have the orange shade characteristic of the species. A small but very lively bird, he was blowing and singing happily around the fire, so that Jesus was warm in the manger. However, at one point one of the flames exploded with great force and burned the bird's belly. At the request of Mary, as a reward for her help and courage, the burn spot became a real decoration of the Robin.
Robins migrate to Africa for the winter. One of their stops is Israel. And because they are great night fliers, they may have ended up in Bethlehem. In recent years, Robins more and more often winter in Poland and can be observed during Christmas. A walk combined with birdwatching is the best way to spend your free time during the holidays.