Chickcharney
Encyclopedia
Chickcharney, Chickcharnie or Chickcharnee is a mythical and cryptozoological
creature resembling a bird, specifically an owl
, that lives in the forests of Andros Island in the Bahama Islands. According to some, it is furry, feathered, about 3 feet tall and is considered ugly looking. In common legend, if a traveler meets a chickcharney and treats it well, he/she will be rewarded with good luck. But, treating a chickcharney badly will result in bad luck and hard times. Sightings have continued into modern day.
was a 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall, flightless relative of the Barn Owl
native to Andros, and closely fits eyewitness descriptions. It was rumored to survive until the 16th Century, until settlers felled the Eastern Andros Forests. However, since Tyto pollens was flightless, it was unlikely to need trees for shelter, and may still exist on the Western Half of Andros, explaining modern sightings.
Cryptid
In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in...
creature resembling a bird, specifically an owl
Owl
Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
, that lives in the forests of Andros Island in the Bahama Islands. According to some, it is furry, feathered, about 3 feet tall and is considered ugly looking. In common legend, if a traveler meets a chickcharney and treats it well, he/she will be rewarded with good luck. But, treating a chickcharney badly will result in bad luck and hard times. Sightings have continued into modern day.
Tyto pollens
It has been theorized by scholars that Chickcharney sightings and legends are rooted in reality. Tyto pollensTyto pollens
Tyto pollens, also known as Andros Island Barn Owl, Bahamian Barn Owl, Bahamian Great Owl, or "Chickcharnie," was a , flightless barn owl that lived in the old-growth pineyards of Andros Island...
was a 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall, flightless relative of the Barn Owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
native to Andros, and closely fits eyewitness descriptions. It was rumored to survive until the 16th Century, until settlers felled the Eastern Andros Forests. However, since Tyto pollens was flightless, it was unlikely to need trees for shelter, and may still exist on the Western Half of Andros, explaining modern sightings.