I wished to see if these peopleAlso feelAs much love as I feltWhen I saw you in CaririI was crossing a stream on horsebackAnd heard there in the woodsThe sad song of the urutau.
Hello, adventurers and enthusiasts of Brazilian folklore! Today we're going to delve into the depths of the Amazon forests to meet the enigmatic Urutau. With its unique appearance and a song that echoes in the silent nights, the urutau has sparked curiosity and fueled legends for generations. This article explores the biological, behavioral, and cultural characteristics of this fascinating bird.
Origin
Also known as mother-of-the-moon, little urutau, urutágua, Kúa-kúa and Uruvati (indigenous names from Mato Grosso), the urutau is a bird whose name in Tupi means "ghost bird". Although it's not possible to determine precisely the temporal and geographical origin of this legend, the 16th-century French chronicler André Thevet offers a description of its mythical value among Brazilian peoples. Thevet observes the association of the legend with messages from
The urutau occupies a significant place in South American folklore, appearing in various legends. Known by different names across the Americas—"cacuy" in Argentina, "aguaitacaminos" in Venezuela, and "whip-poor-will" in British Guiana and Florida—the bird consistently symbolizes myths of transformation and laments of love. Among the Guarani, the legend of Nheambiú narrates the story of a young woman who transforms into an urutau after the death of her beloved Quimbaá. Another version, originating from the Araguaia River among the Karajá, tells how Imaerô became the urutau after a tragic event involving Taina-Can (the Morning Star) and Denaquê.
Appearance and Characteristics
These nocturnal birds can reach about 40 centimeters in length, displaying a coloration that ranges from whitish in youth to shades of gray or brown in adulthood, always adorned with spots and streaks that enhance their camouflage on tree trunks. A striking feature is their exceptionally large mouth, which, when open, can reach up to eight centimeters in diameter, facilitating the capture of insects in mid-flight.
Their enormous eyes, adapted for night vision, have eyelids with slits that allow them to watch their surroundings even at rest, without fully closing their eyes. Arboreal par excellence, they rarely descend to the ground, preferring to perch on the tips of dead trunks, which enhances their natural camouflage. Their immobility is so remarkable that, even under the intense midday light, they go unnoticed by those passing through the forest. The urutau is a solitary bird, with nocturnal habits and difficult to spot. It is carnivorous and feeds on insects, but only eats while flying.
Among the many singularities of the urutau, its melancholic song stands out. While its flight is as silent as an owl's, its lament resonates in the quiet nights in three to five descending notes, with a somber and funereal timbre often considered an omen of bad luck; after its song, it seems that the night falls silent, as if nature were waiting for the next verse. Distributed from Costa Rica to Bolivia and present throughout Brazil, as well as in Argentina and Uruguay, the urutau inhabits forests, forest edges, and open areas with isolated trees. During the day, its camouflage and immobility make it practically invisible to predators and observers, demonstrating its extraordinary adaptation to the environment.
Popular Culture
The legend of the urutau, of Brazilian indigenous origin, narrates a forbidden love between a young indigenous woman and an enemy warrior. After losing her beloved, the young woman becomes so sad that she loses her speech. The urutau is the bird that symbolizes her lament, calling for him and waiting for his return; when the moon appears, it emits a sad cry that seems to say "gone, gone, gone".
In popular imagination, there is also the legend of the Mother-of-the-Moon, a mortal whose pains transformed her into a being that seeks to spare others from future sufferings. The urutaus, although they seem clumsy and ominous, are messengers of this compassionate entity, sent in the hope that someone will understand their painful message and avoid evil. If this does not occur, the bird serves as a witness to others' pain, and the Mother-of-the-Moon stores these sufferings in her Library of Pain. From her tears, the song of the next urutau is born, reinforcing the bird as a symbol of omens and intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds.
The urutau plays a significant role in the folklore and traditions of various South American cultures. Its figure is present in tales, songs, and popular beliefs, often associated with messages from beyond or warnings about future events. This symbolism highlights the deep connection between human communities and nature, reflecting the respect and reverence for beings that carry mysteries beyond immediate comprehension.
Final Considerations
The urutau is a bird that, in addition to its unique biological characteristics, carries a rich cultural legacy. Its physical and behavioral peculiarities have inspired legends that span generations, reinforcing the intrinsic connection between humanity and nature. To know the urutau is to dive into a universe where science and mythology intertwine, revealing the beauty and mystery that permeate wildlife.
References
- Cascudo, L. da C. Dictionary of Brazilian Folklore. Belo Horizonte, Editora Itatiaia, 1993.
- CASCUDO, LuÃs da. Anthology of Brazilian Folklore. V. 1. Rio de Janeiro: Global, 2001.
- CASCUDO, L. Geography of Brazilian Myths. Belo Horizonte: Itatiaia Limitada, 1983.
- FERNANDES, F. Folklore in Question. São Paulo: Martins Fontes, 2003.
- Nomura, H. Avifauna in folklore. Mossoró, Fundação Vingt-Un Rosado, 1996.