Bird signs can be important for ecocultural conservation by highlighting key information networks in people–bird communities

Abstract The ways people think, feel, speak about, and act in with environments are inextricably intertwined the well-being of other living things, including birds. We report on kinds messages contained 598 examples locally-defined signs from 498 bird taxa 169 sources 123 ethnolinguistic groups. Using Peirce’s three sign forms: symbolic, iconic, indexical, we analyze one aspect human–bird interactions: that reading for ecological social interpretations. Understanding semiotic nuance is important translating between local, regional, global science, respecting autonomous processes local attributing value or lack thereof to birds their habitats. Over one-third our sample (216; 36%) were specifically described as omens some kind, commonly death, illness, something “bad”. Three modes message delivery account majority data: predicting (60%), bringing (15%; news, rain, luck), indicating seasonal change, fruit ripening, animals). Reading predict weather (especially rain) was common, listening interpreting birds’ alarm calls warning snakes predators, knowing a certain indicates presence animals, water source. collected 51 warblish, imitation translation sounds into non-onomatopoeic words. argue amplification ecocultural conservation (attending histories human–nonhuman relationships place) channel resources land control Indigenous managers who immersed relevant bird–people information networks. discuss importance (1) reduction uncertainty hyper-local environments, (2) biocultural provocations which fulfill roles human society, (3) informational connectivity interspecies ethical key elements inclusive effective conservation.