Ever hear stories about a buzzard that flew around wearing a bell? Here's an old newspaper article detailing one such instance:
My first introduction to the belled buzzards was from Gary Carden's book Belled Buzzards, Hucksters, and Grieving Specters: Appalachian Tales: Strange, True & Legendary. Since I first read about them-I've discovered belled buzzards have been seen in several states-Virgina, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
Most of the sightings or 'hearings' caused folks to believe the belled buzzards foretold death. One legend even tells the story of a belled buzzard harassing a man after he killed his wife-to the point of the man turning himself in for her murder.
As I was researching the subject I found this explanation from Arkansas:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rkinfolks/stories/evafosterverdun.html
The link details a correspondence between folks discussing the phenomenon of the belled buzzards seen in Arkansas. The lady tells of her brothers bringing home a couple of buzzards to keep as pets. Their mother nixed the idea and made them let the buzzards go. Before turning them loose the boys tied bells on their necks. Makes me wonder if all the other belled buzzard sightings were the result of would be pets gone awry.
Have you ever heard of the belled buzzard? I imagine it would be an eerie sound to hear one as it flew over the house.
Tipper
p.s. Check back tomorrow for the last Spooky October entry-it's one of my favorites-cause it happened not to far from where I live-and it will for sure give you chills.
I've never heard of the belled buzzards. Spooky and frightening.
Sam
Posted by: My Carolina Kitchen | November 02, 2009 at 06:08 AM
That's an interesting story. I have never heard the story before. Wow.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | November 01, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Never knew anything about this. Thanks for doing the research and sharing it with us. Seems I'll be listening out a lot better from now on. :) xxoo
Posted by: Carolyn A. | October 31, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I'm sure enjoying your spooky October series, Tipper. Now I've got a collection of good ones to tell around the campfire!
Posted by: JoLyn | October 30, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Tipper,
I have never heard about the belled buzzards, but it was interesting to read your post and I also read the correspondence through your link.
Will check back for your spooky story. Have enjoyed reading all of your spooky posts.
Wishing you a great weekend and a Happy Halloween.
Blessings,
Mary
Posted by: Mary | October 30, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Interesting, Tipper. I've never heard that story before. And I've never heard a belled buzzard before either.
But you can bet that if I hear bells I will be thinking and looking for the belled buzzard.
Posted by: Fencepost | October 30, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Wow the belled buzzard sounds eerie and odd. Must be like a banshee..very interesting.
Posted by: olecrowsnestnan | October 30, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Just love these stories, Tipper! I often think we're just too pragmatic in the city and lose sight of another "worldly, spiritual" dimension which get lost in the hustle and bustle!
Always fascinating, Tipper! :))
Posted by: petra michelle | October 30, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Never heard of a belled buzzard. Interesting story. I do not discount things because I've never seen, or in this case, heard them. I have seen too many unexplainable things to disbelieve the ones I haven't seen, yet!!
Posted by: Miss Cindy | October 30, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Now that is surely a spooky story and I can say I have not heard any belled buzzards and i kinda hope I don't.
Posted by: Rick | October 30, 2009 at 09:06 AM