India, June 20 -- It took us millions of years to figure out how to fly, and we still can't do it quite like they do.

A hop, a flap, and they're airborne. so it's no surprise that this ability, in the minds of ancient humans, gave birds the air of something magical or divine.

Among the Hopi people of North America, it was said they could carry messages between humans and the gods. The mighty eagle was considered particularly powerful in this respect, able to carry prayers far into the heavens. (Which is why eagle feathers are still used in a range of ceremonies.)

Among the Yakut of Siberia, birds of prey were associated with shamans, the soul, and travel between worlds. For this reason, small wooden bird effigies were placed in funerar...