Birds have always played an important part in Kapampangan culture, not just as food, but most especially in myth and folklore. For instance the sky god Batálâ is a species of kingfisher known scientifically as Halcyon smyrnensis. Bagiu or the great typhoon winds are supposed to have been unleashed from the bagius (wings) of Galúrâ, the giant eagle who lives on Bunduk Aláya.
The change of seasons are also signalled by the coming of a number of species of migratory birds. For instance, the Tarat (Acrocephalus orientalis) signal the coming of Amian or the cold North wind. They are revered by farmers because they prey on locusts and come just in time to save the October harvest. Kapampangan Catholics believed they are sent by Ápûng Kulas (San Nicolas) because their noisy arrival usually coincides on the Feast of Saint Nicholas on September 10.
The rapidly changing environment of Indûng Kapampángan caused by indiscriminate land conversions and the destruction of their natural habitats have made many of the birds that are cited in songs, stories and folklore are now virtually unknown to most Kapampangans of this sad generation.
Bird List:
Abúkai
Alibasbas
Alimukun
Bakó
Bakó Béngi
Bakuit
Baláué
Batálâ
Batálâ
Bátubatu
Bátubatung Lugmun
Bátubatung Silab
Dénas Balé
Dénas Paking
Dénas Sungsung
Dumarâ
Galúrâ
Káló
Kampapalis
Kandungángû
Kanugtug
Kasílî
Katálâ
Kulasísî
Kuláyu
Kuliáuan
Labúyû
Láuin
Layangláyang
Luklak
Pákóbu
Pagálâ
Pasdan
Patitiklut
Pipit
Púgû
Púgûng Dálan
Salaksak
Siábikî
Síbad
Silingsilíngan
Súsulbut
Tagak
Taliktik
Tikling
Timpapalis
Típul
Típul
Uís