1/ Since @owlcyclop was curious, here is a thread on bird ghosts and bird spirits from German folk tales.
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3/ This is not the only incident of avian arsonists in German folklore, merely the most spectacular (which I have come across so far, at least...).
4/ The Habergeiß is probably the most famous bird monster from Austrian folklore. This is the first of four accounts which I have translated.
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4/ The Habergeiß is probably the most famous bird monster from Austrian folklore. This is the first of four accounts which I have translated.
5/ The Habergeiß was frequently conflated with owls.
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5/ The Habergeiß was frequently conflated with owls.
6/ This account emphasizes its chimera-like appearance.
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_%22Habergais%22_(Styria)
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6/ This account emphasizes its chimera-like appearance.
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_%22Habergais%22_(Styria)
7/ And sometimes, the Habergeiß would just hang around mills and haunt them.
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_Habergei%C3%9F_(Lower_Austria)
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7/ And sometimes, the Habergeiß would just hang around mills and haunt them.
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_Habergei%C3%9F_(Lower_Austria)
8/ Strange roosters are lurking in the bowels of the Earth.
#chicken
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_Rooster_of_the_Deep -
8/ Strange roosters are lurking in the bowels of the Earth.
#chicken
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_Rooster_of_the_Deep9/ In Kynsburg Castle, the #chicken were restless.
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9/ In Kynsburg Castle, the #chicken were restless.
10/ Night hags would sometimes appear as chicken as well.
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10/ Night hags would sometimes appear as chicken as well.
11/ "Hooting Ursel" is one of the faithful companions of the Wild Hunt.
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11/ "Hooting Ursel" is one of the faithful companions of the Wild Hunt.
12/ The Night Raven was the _other_ avian companion of the Wild Huntsman - and he was way more metal than Hooting Ursel!
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12/ The Night Raven was the _other_ avian companion of the Wild Huntsman - and he was way more metal than Hooting Ursel!
FIN/ I hope you've enjoyed these tales of strange avian spirits from German folklore!
And if you want to support me in translating more tales of strange critters (avian or not), you can buy my books or support my Patreon campaign!
Your guide to German folklore! - Sunken Castles, Evil Poodles
Your guidebook to German folklore!
Sunken Castles, Evil Poodles (sunkencastles.com)
