Chonchon

Historical Background
The Chonchon is a mythical bird of the Mapuche mythology (and later also present in the Chilean folk myth in southern Argentina) that announces misfortune since it is the form that kalkus (Mapuche sorcerers) use to carry out their wickedness.

The Chonchon is the magic transformation of the powerful kalkus, that knows the secret to become this feared creature. The kalku carries out the transformation by anointing his throat with a magic cream that makes his head detach from the rest of his body. It is his head that becomes the Chonchon.

As such, the Chonchon has the shape of a human head with feathers and talons. Its ears, which are extremely large, serve as wings for its flight on moonless nights. Chonchons are supposed to be endowed with all the magic powers of the kalku, and can only be seen by other kalkus or by wizards that want this power.