S-ko:mag Mashath – Klishmas U’uvig (Christmas Birds)

December 12, 2025

Submitted By

Robert P. Johnson

Language Specialist

HHC Language Program

This month marks the ending of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 in the coming weeks ahead.  Families will get together to celebrate Christmas and the New Year Holidays.  This is also the time of year, when we observe the appearance of several winter birds, whom spend their winters on our community. Our Hekiu O’otham, named many birds according to how they behaved in the wilds, colorations and other characteristics. Some birds mentioned in the Story of Creation.

Sipuk is the name given to the Northern Cardinal. Sipuk refers to the bird’s crest, which means “to be in a pile”.  It also designates a feathered headpiece worn by Chiefs, with feathers that stood up prominently. Its prominent red coloration and kuk (Birdcall) easily identified.  Females are slightly smaller and gray in coloration.  In fact, most female birds are gray in coloration, which aids them in hiding from predators. Most important when incubating eggs inside the nests.

Ba:sho S-veg is the name given to the American Robin. This winter visitor arrives mid-November and departs in early spring.  Our Hekiu O’otham believed that Ba:sho S-veg brought the cold winds along from up north.  His red chest and bird call are not hard to miss. 

Vakav is the name given to the Northern Harrier.  This Raptor often observed gliding low over fields and the open plains.  They emit a shriek-like call that flushes its prey from cover. They feed on rodents and rabbits.  The white tuft-patch on backsides, make this Raptor easy to identify when inflight.  This is another winter bird whom brings the cold from the north.

Thamthol is the name given to the White-crowned Sparrow.  This year Thamthol’s kuk (bird call) heard in early October.  These are the easiest birds to attract into your yards by providing a bird feeder and an open container of water for morning baths.  Their white-striped crowns and kuk are easy to identify.  They often share spaces with other birds, especially when feeding.

Gikuchk’tham is the name given to the Black Phoebe, their O’otham name means they are “the whistler.” These wintering Song Birds easily identified, by their black upper-parts and white bellies. They are usually solitary and search for insects in pairs. They can be found near open water, especially running irrigation canals. Most active in early mornings and late evenings.

Chukmug is the name given to the European Starling.  These medium-sized Song Birds often observed in very large flocks.  Chukmug means that they appear as if a “dark cloud in motion.” They feed on insects over open agriculture fields.  Their large group-flights are called murmations, in which the flight constantly changes patterns, especially noticeable when chased by Raptors.

We encourage you to learn the O’otham bird names. Take some time and observe the birds in your areas.  Speak with an Elder or Speaker and learn to say the bird names.  The bird names may be slightly different between the villages. This month’s word match will test your identification skills of a few wintering birds.

A special Thank You to our Community Elders for sharing their knowledge of Klishmas U’uvig that made this article possible.  Additional source related from Wings in the Desert, A Folk Ornithology of the Northern Pimans, Amadeo M. Rea, University of Arizona Press, 2008. December 12, 2025