Zölans
Ólatraa: Zöl /zœːl/
Zölans1 are small water birds endemic to Tasúl Lake, source of the mighty river Óv, on the southwestern Plain of Kings. They are shy animals, spending most of their day feeding on worms and insects -especially beetles and dragonfly larvae- on the lake's shore and small fish during twilight, while at night they rest in simple burrows which they dig themselves. Zölans also make their nests in these burrows during breeding season, where they lay up to three eggs.
Every year when a new batch of nilla berry wine is ready for consumption, tiny clay bowls of the liquor are laid out in the reeds as offerings to the zölans before the festival.
Zölans1 are small water birds endemic to Tasúl Lake, source of the mighty river Óv, on the southwestern Plain of Kings. They are shy animals, spending most of their day feeding on worms and insects -especially beetles and dragonfly larvae- on the lake's shore and small fish during twilight, while at night they rest in simple burrows which they dig themselves. Zölans also make their nests in these burrows during breeding season, where they lay up to three eggs.
Cultural Significance
Although the local Aþórans, a tribe of Yfrigían Mörkels whose territory encompasses the lake and surrounding Fökan Hills, often hunt waterfowl and other prey with their slings, killing zölans is a taboo among them, as the little birds are believed to protectors of the nilla berries which only grow in that region.Every year when a new batch of nilla berry wine is ready for consumption, tiny clay bowls of the liquor are laid out in the reeds as offerings to the zölans before the festival.
1Original icelandic: zölar, singular: zöli.
Origin/Ancestry
Northern Dragonía
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Zölans are mostly brown, with alternating lighter bands on their head and along the back
Comments