The breed of bird makes a difference too; while your own personal feelings about certain ones should be taken into account when determining meaning, there are some birds that tend to be associated with certain meanings. For instance, an eagle symbolizes nobility, pride, fierceness, freedom, superiority, courage, and intellect. It also represents rebirth, renewal, and connection to your spiritual side. Meanwhile, seeing a dove could mean peace, tranquility, harmony, affection and innocence. White doves mean loyalty, love, simplicity, gentleness and friendships and can also be thought of as a messenger from a higher spirit (via Dream Moods).

Of course, what is happening to the bird in the dream also matters. For instance, if the eagle is flying free, you may be feeling spiritually free and powerful with a high vantage point of your life, while a bound or caged eagle indicates you are feeling restricted or trapped or cut off from your higher self or from spirituality. To dream of cutting a bird's wings could mean you have secret feelings of wanting to stifle someone or wanting to control someone else by reducing their ability "fly." If, on the other hand, you're feeding birds, it might represent inspiration, encouragement, or trying to overcome something holding you back so that you can fly free. You are literally feeding the idea of freedom or transcendence (via Dream Bible).