The King of All Birds

Celtic folklore has the humble little wren as King of All Birds by virtue of using its wits and courage to master even the mighty eagle. In the legend, the wren wins the competition to decide which bird should be king by hitching a clandestine ride on the unsuspecting eagle during the challenge to see which of all the birds can fly highest and therefore win the right to be called King. Once the eagle has reached his limit and can fly no further (believing he’s already beaten all the other birds, of course), the wren simply launches himself from the eagle’s back and soars upwards to victory!

Not sure a dove/pigeon sitting on an ornamental eagle’s head is the best image to illustrate that story, but the incongruity of the sight brought the children’s tale to mind!