Conflict Checking by Posture

Birds in different categories can be considered substantially different from one another when displayed in period posture and drawn correctly. Once the posture is changed from period, conflict may be introduced based on the posture comparison (http://heraldry.sca.org/loar/2003/11/03-11brd.htm, Appendix M of SENA.)

SENA categorizes postures for conflict checking purposes in Appendix L, as follows:

  • B. Birds: The postures listed within each group generally conflict, though a distinct change may be given for facing to dexter or to sinister.
    • close, naiant
    • displayed*, migrant
    • volant
    • rousant, rising, striking


* May 2014 LoAR adds this about the volant posture: This month we ruled that a bird volant had substantially different posture from a bird close. SENA A5E5a does not currently list the volant posture in one of its groups of postures that receive substantial difference from other groups of postures. Look for a Palimpsest rules letter to further discuss whether or not volant should be added in general to SENA A5E5a, and if so, under what circumstances.

* November 2003 LoAR adds this about the diplayed posture: All birds (other than eagles) in the displayed posture are considered [a SFPP] and are not eligible for substantial difference [SC] - unless documentation is provided showing that the particular type of (non-eagle) bird is frequently found in the displayed posture in period.

The November 2003 LoAR has additional information about postures:

Here are a few generalizations concerning bird posture...

  • Barring evidence to the contrary for a particular type of bird, it may be assumed that any type of bird is in a period posture when it is close.
  • If a bird is found in a rising posture in period, it is reasonable to assume that both rising wings addorsed and rising wings displayed are standard variants of that posture.
  • Period birds that are reguardant are considered a standard posture variant of period birds that are not reguardant. So, if a bird is found in the rising posture in period, it is reasonable to assume that rising reguardant is also a period posture.
    • One cannot make the same assumption about guardant.
  • Turning any type of bird to sinister is considered a standard posture variant for all period heraldic postures, due to long-standing SCA practice. So, if a bird is found in the naiantposture in period, then for purposes of SCA heraldic rulings we will also consider the naiant to sinister posture to be period.
  • Birds must be drawn in period fashions, correctly, on the submission.

There is a precedent in February 2007 that re-states the definitions for the postures of "stooping" and striking":

As defined for SCA use (in the LoAR Cover Letters of July and Aug 1986), stooping is reserved for when the raptor is "dive-bombing", falling on its prey: wings swept back, body vertical or diagonal with head down. Striking is the moment when the raptor comes out of its stoop, its feet ready to grab or punch the prey: body diagonal with head up, heraldically equivalent to rising." [Balin Kendrick, 02/2007 Calontir-A]

If a bird is not in the standard posture, you can use this table to determine if the posture visually conflicts. Sable, a martlet addorsed argent would be clear of Sable, a martlet displayed argent, for example.

Images from the SCA Heraldic Primer, or from LoI archives as appropriate.

Conflict Checking by Posture