The ; sometimes also known as or , or archaically ) is a bird from Welsh folklore who portends death. It is said to chirp outside a soon-to-be deceased person's door with a cry that sounds similar to . The bird has no feathers or wings. When not calling outside of a person's door, it is said to live on another plane of existence.
The Aderyn y Corff is referenced twice in the Welsh-language version of the bible, which some authors have claimed is the origin of the superstition. Many contemporary accounts of the corpse bird have suggested that it is actually a screech owl, drawn to lights coming from the room of a patient.
References