Devil Bird

The Devil Bird, or Ulama, is a terrifying omen in Sri Lankan folklore, described as a nocturnal creature whose chilling screams foretell death or misfortune. Villagers report hearing its human-like wails echoing through dense jungles at night, a sound so disturbing it’s said to freeze listeners in place. Some stories depict it as a monstrous owl with demonic features, while others suggest it’s a cursed human soul condemned to wander and cry forever. Zoologists often link these tales to the spot-bellied eagle-owl, whose haunting calls could easily inspire supernatural dread. Despite rational explanations, the Devil Bird’s legend persists, deeply rooted in cultural fear of death and the unknown lurking just beyond the lantern’s glow. It stands as a vivid reminder of how ordinary animal behaviors can be woven into ghostly narratives that endure for centuries.