Variations: Aderyn y Corff, Aderyn y Cyrff, Corpse-bird
The Aderyn y Corph or corpse-bird chirps at the door of a dying person in Wales. Its call is dewch, dewch (“come, come”). It has no feathers or wings and can soar easily without them. When not presaging death it lives in the land of illusion and fantasy.
It is a variant of the screech owl whose call portends death. Aderyn y corph is also Welsh for the screech owl or brown owl.
References
Evan, D. S. (1858) An English and Welsh Dictionary. Thomas Gee, Denbigh.
Sikes, W. (1880) British Goblins. Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, London.