The wartime song refers to "Blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover". What exactly were these blue birds?

mutchisman

Nat Burton, who wrote the lyrics for the song had never been to England so probably didn't know too much about British wildlife. Very few British birds show blue in their plumage. The best answer would probably be the swallow (Hirondo rustica) which has very dark blue upperparts. Plenty of those pass over the white cliffs of Dover whilst on migration. http://www.dover-kent.co.uk/words/blue_birds_over.htm May 13 07, 2:01 AM

Baloo55th

There is no bird referred to in the UK as a 'bluebird' in normal speech, although the W. Alexander bus company in Scotland named their coach service Bluebird and used a swallow as their logo for it. As mutchisman says, the writer of the song never came here and bluebirds are quite a common feature in America. PS Half Man Half Biscuit - Yay!!! Brilliant... May 13 07, 4:48 AM

comeplay

Nat Burton, who wrote the lyrics for the song had never been to England so probably didn't know too much about British wildlife. Very few British birds show blue in their plumage. The best answer would probably be the swallow (Hirondo rustica) which has very dark blue upperparts. Plenty of those pass over the white cliffs of Dover whilst on migration. http://www.dover-kent.co.uk/words/blue_birds_over.htm May 13 07, 5:53 AM