Tradition / Region: Australian Mythology, English Mythology
Alternative names: Ouzelum Bird
Category: Bird
The Myth
The Oozlum Bird is a legendary bird celebrated for its absurd and impossible behavior. It is often said to fly backwards, either so it can admire its magnificent tail feathers or because it prefers to see where it has been rather than where it is going.
Its most famous trait appears when it is startled. The bird takes flight in ever-tightening circles, each loop smaller than the last, until it finally flies up its own backside and disappears completely. This bizarre fate is said to explain why the Oozlum Bird is so rarely, if ever, seen.
Some tales claim the bird is large enough to carry a person through the air. Others say it can remain motionless in the sky while allowing the Earth to turn beneath it, making it appear to travel without flapping its wings.
Because of its ridiculous habits and impossible nature, the Oozlum Bird has become a humorous symbol of circular reasoning, self-reference, and endless loops, remaining one of the most whimsical creatures of Australian and British folklore.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Oozlum bird. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oozlum_bird