History Main / BirdVsSerpent

This concept can be tied to the ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_(cosmogony)#Chaoskampf chaoskampf]]'', a recurring motif in Indo-European and Middle Eastern mythologies pitting a [[ArrogantGodVsRagingMonster sky or thunder god representing order against a serpent or dragon representing chaos]]. It doesn't innately lead into this trope, as the deities were usually humanoid, but it's a fairly simple stretch to associate a sky god with [[AnimalMotifs avian motifs]], to depict them as an angel-like WingedHumanoid, [[DivineBirds or to use birds to represent a celestial figure]].

* One of the [[{{Foil}} many contrasts]] that fuels the professional rivalry between Mizushima and
Kanamori in ''Manga/HeavensDesignTeam'' is that the former invented serpents and the latter invented birds. One chapter involves an evolutionary arms race between their creations when Kanamori creates a weaver bird that builds false openings in its nest to foil predators like snakes.

This is often a symbolic representation of opposites: most obvious is the the [[LandSeaSky Sky above versus the Sea or the Earth below]] (and thus many serpents are of the [[SeaSerpents "Sea" kind]]), but as informed by [[https://aquilathephoenix.tumblr.com/post/175375009084/eagle-vs-serpent-a-dichotomy this Tumblr post,]] by extension there's sacred vs unholy, light versus darkness, and OrderVersusChaos. There's also subtext of ClashOfEvolutionaryLevels, where it's the warm-blooded and advanced birds that soar above, and the primitive reptiles that crawl under. WhatMeasureIsANonCute and SnakesAreSinister plays a part in this trope as well.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': During the final confrontation between Sasuke and Orochimaru in Shippuden, Sasuke keeps a badass speech where he metaphorically compares their battle to a battle between a snake and a hawk. From Sasuke's point of view, the snake (aka Orochimaru) can dream all he wants about cheating his own nature and trying to claim wings from a hatchling in the nest, because in the end that hatchling will turn into a mighty hawk (Sasuke) and turn the snake into its prey. The entire fight is contrasted with a hawk hunting snakes somewhere outside of Orochimaru's hideout.

** ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'': Harry is saved from the basilisk in the titular chamber when Fawkes the phoenix arrives, attacks the serpent and tears out its eyes. The bird later helps Harry, Ron and Ginny escape the chamber by flying them out.

* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'': The characters are saved from the basilisk when Fawkes the phoenix arrives, attacks the serpent and tears out its eyes.

Taxonomically speaking, ''both'' groups are technically reptiles, but birds are fluffier, cuter, and more social than the evil serpent.

This is often a symbolic representation of opposites: most obvious is the the [[LandSeaSky Sky above versus the Sea or the Earth below]] (and thus many serpents are of the [[SeaSerpents "Sea" kind]]), but as informed by [[https://aquilathephoenix.tumblr.com/post/175375009084/eagle-vs-serpent-a-dichotomy this Tumblr post,]] by extension there's sacred vs unholy, light versus darkness, and OrderVersusChaos. There's also subtext of ClashOfEvolutionaryLevels, where it's the warm-blooded and advanced birds that soar above, and the primitive reptiles that crawl under. WhatMeasureIsANonCute and SnakesAreSinister plays a part in this trope as well. Taxonomically speaking, ''both'' groups are technically reptiles, but birds are fluffier, cuter, and more social than the evil serpent.

This is often a symbolic representation of opposites: most obvious is the the [[LandSeaSky Sky above versus the Sea or the Earth below]] (and thus many serpents are of the [[SeaSerpents "Sea" kind]]), but as informed by [[https://aquilathephoenix.tumblr.com/post/175375009084/eagle-vs-serpent-a-dichotomy this Tumblr post,]] by extension there's sacred vs unholy, light versus darkness, and OrderVersusChaos. There's also subtext of ClashOfEvolutionaryLevels, where it's the warm-blooded and advanced birds that soar above, and the primitive reptiles that crawl under. WhatMeasureIsANonCute and SnakesAreSinister plays a part in this trope as well. Technically, ''both'' creatures are reptiles, but birds are fluffier and cuter than the evil serpent.

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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/audobon_ferruginousthrush.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Should I fall to fang and to scale;\\
for the nest, the flock must prevail."]]

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%% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900

[[folder: Anime & Manga]]

[[folder: Film -- Live-Action]]

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

[[folder: Mythology and Religion]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]

* Creator/HannaBarbera's ''Blast-Off Buzzard'' (a segment of 1977's WesternAnimation/CBBears) had the title bird in pursuit of Crazy Legs Snake.

[[folder: Real Life]]

* Many types of birds, ranging from eagles to roadrunners, prey on snakes in real life. The one most linked to this trope, however, is probably the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretarybird secretary bird,]] whose scientific name is ''Sagittarius serpentarius'' or "archer/hunter of snakes". The bird's reputation as a snake-eater has earned it a revered status in some traditional African cultures, such that some countries like South Africa have [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_South_Africa#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_South_Africa.svg included it on their national emblem.]]

* Within the ''Franchise/Halo'' games, when the capture the flag mode is played, the blue team will have an image of a bird of prey on their flag, while the red team has an image of a snake on theirs. This tradition began with the original ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' and continued until ''VideoGame/Halo4''.

There is a recurring mythological motif where giant birds or birdlike creatures (often, but not always, a NobleBirdOfPrey) fight against reptilian monsters, typically a snake, a sea serpent, or a dragon. The bird will use its beak and talons to grip and rip, maybe or drop its foe from heights after flying up carrying it. Meanwhile, the snake will coil and bite.

This concept can be tied to the ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_(cosmogony)#Chaoskampf chaoskampf]]'', a recurring motif in Indo-European and Middle Eastern mythologies pitting a sky or thunder god representing order against a serpent or dragon representing chaos. It doesn't innately lead into this trope, as the deities were usually humanoid, but it's a fairly simple stretch to associate a sky god with [[AnimalMotifs avian motifs]], to depict them as an angel-like WingedHumanoid, [[DivineBirds or to use birds to represent a celestial figure]].

* ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'': In the final days of the War of Wrath, [[GreaterScopeVillain Morgoth]] unleashed a hundred of his newest creations, the winged fire-breathing dragons, upon the combined forces of the Valar, Men and Elves and nearly defeated them. The arrival of Earendiil and Thorondir, the Lord of the Eagles, and a host of thousands of Great Eagles only managed to turn the tide of the battle, but only just, as for all the might of the Great Eagles it still took over a day and half for them to slay every dragon.

* ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'': Zig-zagged with Ho-Oh and Lugia. While they're not opponents in any canonical sense, they are the mascots of the titular games, and their aesthetics definitely fit the trope; Ho-Oh is brightly colored, associated with the sky and rainbows, and is much more overtly feathered (i.e. bird-like). Lugia is mostly white, associated with the ocean and, while possessing wings, who's body is much more streamlined (like a serpent or whale).

This concept can be tied to the ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_(cosmogony)#Chaoskampf chaoskampf,]]'' a recurring motif in Indo-European and Middle Eastern mythologies pitting a sky or thunder god representing order against a serpent or dragon representing chaos. It doesn't innately lead into this trope, as the deities were usually humanoid, but it's a fairly simple stretch to associate a sky god with [[AnimalMotifs avian motifs]], to depict them as an angel-like WingedHumanoid, [[DivineBirds or to use birds to represent a celestial figure]].

* Myth/NorseMythology has a rivalry between Nidhoggr, a dragon that burrows through the roots of the WorldTree Yggdrasil, and Hresvelgr, a giant eagle that nests in its highest branches.

* ''Myth/NorseMythology'' has a rivalry between Nidhoggr, a dragon that burrows through the roots of the WorldTree Yggdrasil, and Hresvelgr, a giant eagle that nests in its highest branches.