The Aderyn y corff (sometimes Aderyn corff or Deryn corff; occasionally spelled Aderyn y Corph in archaic forms; all these roughly translate to Corpse bird) is a bird from Welsh folklore who portends death. It is said to chirp outside a soon-to-be deceased person's door with a cry that sounds similar to Welsh: dewch, or 'come' in English.[1] The bird has no feathers or wings.[1] When not calling outside of a person's door, it is said to live on another plane of existence.[1]
The aderyn y corff is referenced twice in the Welsh-language version of the bible, which some authors have claimed is the origin of the superstition.[2] [3] Many contemporary accounts of the corpse bird have suggested that it is actually a screech owl, drawn to lights coming from the room of a patient.[2] [3] [4]