Mitos y Leyendas: The Legend of the Common Potoo

• Genny de Bernardo shares with you the Legend of the Common Potoo.
• This bird has a reputation for being an «ill omen.»
• This may be due to the nature of its song, which is unpleasant for those who hear it.

In the region of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a legend is told that mixes love and betrayal.

This story unfolds in an ancient indigenous village. The daughter of an influential chief, who is also a powerful sorcerer, falls deeply in love with a warrior from the same tribe.

However, this love must be kept secret due to the disapproval of the girl’s father.

As the affection between the young couple grows, they stop hiding their relationship, which eventually leads to the father discovering this uncomfortable romance.

The warrior is sent to battle

Furious, the chief sends the warrior to battle, ignoring his daughter’s pleas and supplications. He hopes the war will end the warrior’s life so his daughter can marry someone of more suitable social status.

After the war, the soldiers return, and surprisingly, the brave young man does too. This enrages the chief, who decides to eliminate the warrior himself.

He plans a hunt with three warriors, including the young lover. The daughter, distrustful of her father, follows them closely to discover his intentions.

When they reach the forest, the chief splits the group into two, staying alone with the young man, whom he ferociously stabs in a moment of carelessness. The daughter, terrified, witnesses everything and runs back to the tribe.

The Guajojó bird

When the chief returns to the village, he finds his daughter crying and shouting that she will reveal the secret of what happened. Fearing the consequences, the father casts a spell to transform the young girl into a Guajojó bird.

According to legend, on the darkest nights, when light leaves the land and it is enveloped in a starry sky, one can hear the girl’s crying turned into squawks.

These melancholic sounds are said to be so heartbreaking that they can cause death due to their despair. The constant lament calls during the night, imploring the return of her beloved.

This bird is known by different names in different parts of America; for example, in Colombia, it is known as the Witch Bird. Mitos y Leyendas bids you farewell and hopes you enjoyed the Legend of the Common Potoo. Until next time!