Small bird tattoos are emblematic of both old and new school approaches to body art.
For old school collectors, birds are often symbolic designs etched with great care and hidden away from a casual glance.
For new tattoo lovers their bird tattoo can be bold, bright, and realistically depicted practically anywhere on the body to emphasize beauty and movement.
Check out these small bird tattoo ideas to get a glimpse of the versatility for bird tattoo designs and concepts. No matter what your style mix and sensibilities are, you’ll find great inspiration for a future tattoo design.
1. Watercolor Small Bird Tattoo Ideas
2. Ankle and Foot Small Bird Tattoo Ideas
3. Black and Gray Small Bird Tattoo Ideas
Source: @charlottetraceytattoo via Instagram
4. Colorful Small Bird Tattoo Designs
Source: @michelmammitattoo via Instagram
5. Fine Line Single Needle Small Bird Tattoos
6. Animal Realism Small Bird Tattoos
7. Rib and Side Small Bird Tattoo Ideas
8. Small Bird Shoulder Body Art
9. Small Bird Tattoos for the Upper Arm
10. Small Bird Wrist and Hand Tattoo Designs
11. Silhouette Small Bird Tattoos
FAQs
Which birds are popular choices for small tattoos?
There are numerous species popular for use in small bird tattoos. Some of these include:
- The hummingbird represents positivity and is most often associated with symbols of good luck, joy, freedom and optimism
- The swallow is a traditional sailors’ tattoo linked with renewal, hope, growth and the start of a new chapter, and was also a sign that landfall had been reached
- The owl symbolizes wisdom, but is sometimes thought of as an omen of approaching death
- The dove has symbolized peace and prosperity from pre-biblical times
- Crows are associated with darkness, the Underworld, and the occult, but also intelligence and dreams/visions
Also, in the US birds linked to educational institutions or sporting teams are popular design choices, such as the cardinal, raven, or eagle.
What is the difference between swallow and sparrow tattoos?
Both birds are popular in neo traditional and American traditional small tattoo art. Swallows are streamlined with bright coloring, while sparrows are more rounded and stockier with brown plumage.
In terms of meaning and symbolism the sparrow is still an auspicious omen but has no connection to nautical history, while swallows represent some of the tattoo world’s oldest symbolic designs – they were often a sign that a seafarer had travelled over 5000 miles on ocean voyages.
What does a silhouetted flock of birds tattoo symbolize?
Birds are tremendous tattoo examples of an individual’s wish to soar and be free. Often, a simple yet effective way to express this freedom in tattoo is to show a flock of birds in flight or at rest (such as on a wire).
Silhouettes are utilized as an application feature to fully realize the idea of freedom and movement without having to display heavy details in an otherwise small design, which works from both a cost control and style standpoint.
Where should I place my small bird tattoo?
Small bird tattoos are highly effective for just about any kind of placement. They look great when given the illusion of movement along a collector’s forearm, or at rest across the wrist.
There’s a good mix of traditional tattoo positioning – upper arms, back, lower legs, chest – and the more visible spots such as the hands, wrist, ribs, neck and collarbone area.
Did you enjoy these small bird tattoo ideas? If you’re looking for more bird related tattoo inspiration in a variety of styles then click on the gallery links below: