Devil Bird
| Other name(s) | Ulama |
|---|---|
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Habitat | Forest |
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In Sri Lankan folklore, the Devil Bird or Ulama is a creature said to emit bloodcurdling human-sounding shrieks in the night from within the jungles. It is believed that the cry of this bird is an omen that portends death. Its precise identity is still a matter of debate, although the spot-bellied eagle-owl matches the profile of Devil Bird to a large extent, according to a finding in the year 2001.
As the bird is not usually seen and its cry only described in vague terms, Ulama records might refer to the Ceylon highland nightjar(Caprimulgus indicus kelaarti').
"Devil Bird or Ulama or Ulalena. The precise identity of this bird is one of the mysteries of the Ceylon jungles. Its eerie cries have been attributed to a variety of birds. The most likely candidates however are: the forest eagle-owl(Bubo nipalensis) for the up country area, the hawk-eagles and the crested honey-buzzard(Pernis ptilorhynchus ruficollis) in the lowland jungles."[citation needed]
See also
- Banshee, a similar omen in Irish mythology.
- Hakawai, a similar omen in Māori mythology.
References
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