According to Choctaw legend, when the “returning waters”
(that is the Choctaw term for the Great Flood) came, two birds,
Bishinik (a small, speckled yellow billed, scissortail species of
Woodpecker), and Folichik (the scissortail fly catcher), were the
only two birds to escape drowning by flying as high as they could
and perching upside-down upon the sky. As it was, the waters came
so high that the birds’ tails hung down where the dashing waters
caused their tail feathers to separate, thus making them split, or scissortail.
Because of their bravery, the two birds were blessed by God, and
because Bishinik was grateful for this blessing, God decreed that
Bishinik would always be a special friend to his people, the Choctaw.
To the Choctaw, Bishinik was the friendliest of birds, was accorded
special treatment, and became known as “the little Chahta news bird”.
Bishinik would live around Choctaw homes and let them know whenever
someone was approaching. The friendly little woodpecker was also
believed to accompany hunting parties or war parties when they went
into the field. Bishinik would warn the warriors of the approach
of an enemy, or would indicate to them when game was near and in
which direction they should travel to find this game. Should an
enemy force approach an encampment of Choctaw Warriors during the
hours of darkness, Bishinik would warn them by tapping out messages
on trees about the camp. Bishinik is honored to this day, as the
tribal newspaper bears his name!
