Grouping Local legend Country Middle East Habitat Uncertain | Sub grouping Bird Region Uncertain | |
Bar Juchne or Bar-Yuchnei is a colossal legendary bird from Jewish mythology which was believed to have a wingspan large enough to block out the sun.
The first mention of the creature comes from the Talmud (Bekhorot, fol. 57 col. 2) which tells of a Bar Juchne egg falling from its nest and destroying 300 cedars and flooding 60 villages/cities. The Talmud says of the event: 'The question therefore arose, "Does the bird generally throw out its eggs?" Rav Ashi replied, "No; that was a rotten one."'
It is said that it would be roasted, along with Leviathan and Behemoth, and served at a banquet for the Children of Israel at the coming of the Messiah.
References
Bar Juchne Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA