 |
| Corsican Nuthatch (Source: http://www.birdforum.net) |
There are
approximately 345 bird species on the island of Corsica. Seven of these species are listed under the "globally threatened" category. Out of these birds, one species is endemic or native to the
island and is not found anywhere else in the world! This species is the Corsican Nuthatch found in Corsica's vast pine
forests. Unfortunately, this bird's existence is listed under the
'vulnerable' category. You can hear the
Corsican Nuthatch's call at this link: http://www.xeno-canto.org/134312.
 |
| A Red Kite, one of Corsica's spectacular birds, in flight. (Source: http://www.uva-bits.nl) |
If you
visit gobirding.eu under the category or Corsica and Sardinia, the website
portrays a vast list of birds and other wildlife that were seen when visiting
the two islands in April of 2008. It is
incredible to see the number of beautiful birds a person can discover when
exploring the natural island of Corsica.
Natives of
Corsica have some superstitious beliefs about their birds. On letstalkaboutCorsica.com, the website
identifies some of these values and beliefs.
To quote the website directly, “they
believed in omens/signs coming from a bird’s flight, the appearance of the sky
and the behavior of animals. They saw
the ‘Spiriti’ (spirits) marching in procession – reciting the rosary at death’s
door, heard the drum beats announcing an approaching death…” In addition, according to another website (http://www.terracorsa.info/mazzeri1.html), if a bird taps at a closed window, it is thought to be a spirit of a dead person, seeking to communicate with his relatives; to remind them, perhaps of a duty neglected or an injury unavenged."
 |
| Golden Eagle flying through the mountainous terrain of Corsica. (Source: http://anserbirding.co.uk/) |
Birds are spectacular creatures. However, in Corsica, the beliefs about them are not always positive, and often relate to the spiritual world.
Furthermore, due to Corsica being an island, these birds are different from the bird species of mainland Europe. For example, "Songbirds such as the Blackbird have a song that's distinct from that of related European species, and the birds' normal habitats are in many instances extended in some way." (via Corsica by: David Abram).
Furthermore, due to Corsica being an island, these birds are different from the bird species of mainland Europe. For example, "Songbirds such as the Blackbird have a song that's distinct from that of related European species, and the birds' normal habitats are in many instances extended in some way." (via Corsica by: David Abram).
Sources:
| Cover of David Abram's book via Google Books |
http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=frco&list=howardmoore
http://www.gobirding.eu/Trips/Corsica2.php
http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/trips/corsica-mp-0603.html
http://www.pbase.com/sundphoto/birds_in_france_corsica
http://letstalkaboutcorsica.com/wandering-customs-beliefs-usi-corsi/
http://www.terracorsa.info/mazzeri1.html
Pictures:
http://www.birdforum.net/opus/images/thumb/2/2e/Corsnuthatchnetfugl.jpg/550px-Corsnuthatchnetfugl.jpg\
http://anserbirding.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Golden-Eagle-Haut-Asco-Corsica-MJMcGill.jpg
http://www.uva-bits.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/INT_with_GPS_UVA_3.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment