In both the book, and the movie, the Fellowship sees a dark cloud approaching before Legolas's keen eyes see the cloud is really a flock of birds likely spying for Saruman and the Fellowship hides until they fly by. Considering an Elf could see them before they could see him, I have to wonder just how useful Saruman's avian spies really were. Are there other instances (beyond this flock and the Bard's thrush) where JRRT employed avian spies in middle-earth?
asked Nov 30, 2014 at 23:39
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Note that (although it's quite clear from the rest of the question) you didn't actually mention which book and movie you are referring to.– yoniLaviCommented Dec 1, 2014 at 15:51
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3 Answers
Thorondor and the other great eagles did a lot of spying in the Silmarillion. Radagast could also employ birds in this way.
Send out messages to all the beasts and birds that are your friends. Tell them to bring news of anything that bears on this matter to Saruman and Gandalf.
(The Council of Elrond)
Tolkien's Middle Earth contained a number of intelligent bird species, mostly those that had been exposed to high-level magic (or were Maia in disguise) rather than as a result of normal evolution.
Ravens
The intelligent ravens of Ravenhill near Erebor, could live to a great age and some could even speak Westron.
They are reputedly the messengers of the Vala Mandos
Hawks
Spirits in the shapes of hawks and eagles were the servants of Manwë Súlimo, continually flying over Middle-earth to gather information for their master. Above many flocks of crebain, Aragorn noticed hawks, flying high in the sky, during the War of the Ring.
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2"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles" is from the Silmarillion (Of the Beginning of Days). "I have also glimpsed many hawks flying high up in the sky. I think we ought to move again this evening. Hollin is no longer wholesome for us: it is being watched." is from Lord of the Rings (The Ring Goes South). The Ravens come from the Hobbit ("There used to be great friendship between them and the people of Thror; and they often brought us secret news...", The Gathering of the Clouds) but I'm not aware of any canon source to link them to Mandos.– user8719Commented Dec 1, 2014 at 13:58
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1@darthsatan - I suspect the later part is from one of the authorised RPGs rather than from the books.– ValorumCommented Dec 1, 2014 at 14:06
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@Richard - that seems likely, yes.– user8719Commented Dec 1, 2014 at 14:08
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2@Daft - Short answer is yes, there are entire characters and plotlines chopped out of the various LOTR movies. Tom Bombadil is completely absent, for example. If you want to become a nerd on the subject you also need to read The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The History of Middle-earth (Generally referred to as HoME) and The Children of Húrin.– ValorumCommented Dec 1, 2014 at 15:17
The great Eagles are obviously to be considered, both in the first, second and third ages. There were also the Thrush's in dale that you mention. Gwaiwar is also made 'King of All the Birds' at the conclusion of The Hobbit.
On the opposing side the Crebain from Dunland and no dubt other places had a large part. Sauron also had vampire-bats trained to attack his enemies and one needs to wonder about Thuringwethil in that regard. He had such dominion over the creatures under his power for any length of time that they all began to change and show darker characteristics - even the 'Flies of Mordor' were marked with the symbol of his eye.