Mother Carey's chickens is a nautical term for storm petrels, small seabirds that were once said to be the spirits of sailors lost at sea. Other synonyms for this term include "sea swallows," "stormbirds," and "hurricane birds." These birds are known for their ability to ride out even the fiercest storms over the open ocean, earning them a reputation for being a symbol of safety and protection for seafarers. In folklore, it was believed that these birds would guide lost sailors to safety, or even carry the souls of the dead to their final resting place. As such, Mother Carey's chickens have become an enduring symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
