Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Uirapuru

by Leighton Gage




The Guarani people of the Amazon tell of a handsome young warrior, whose love was sought by all the maidens of his tribe, and who was treacherously murdered by a rival for their affections.

When they went to prepare his body for burial, they found it gone.

He’d been transformed into a bird that filled the forest with song, but disappeared when approached.

The uirapuru.

They say that when the uirapuru sings, the sound of its notes is so beautiful that all the other birds of the forest stop singing - and listen.

Legend?

Only in part.


Because the uirapuru really does exist.

But is seldom seen, and rarely heard.

It's a shy creature with coloring that blends in with that of the forest.

And it sings only at dawn, and at sunset, and for little more than two weeks in any given year.


Those two weeks are the period in which the bird is building his nest.

He’s singing out of love, hoping to attract a mate.

All Brazilians know about the uirapuru...


...but few have been fortunate enough to hear its voice in nature.

The people who live in the Amazon jungle are constantly on the lookout for uirapuru feathers on the forest floor, because the possession of one is thought to bring good luck to both men and women.

But especially to women.

Who are said to use them to capture the passion of their loved ones – forever.

Click here to listen the song of the uirapuru:


3 comments:

Jean Henry Mead said...

A lovely legend, Leighton. Thanks for sharing.

Jaden Terrell said...

I'd never heard that legend--or of the uirapuru--before. I always enjoy learning about new animals, and what a lovely little bird it is. It really does have a beautiful song. Thanks, Leighton!

Jackie King said...

This information was all new and most interesting to me. I especially loved your pictures.