Elwetritsch

The Elbedritsch - also Elwetrittche, Ilwedritsch; in the plural Elwedritsche(n) - is an imaginary bird-like creature that is reported in southwest Germany (especially in the Palatinate and neighboring regions). The area of distribution is essentially congruent with the historical Palatinate. With emigrants, the belief in the existence of Elbedritsche also spread to Eastern Europe and North America (Pennsylvania) in the 18th century and to South America (Brazil) in the 19th century. The Elbedritsch is to be seen as a local variation on comparable imaginary creatures from other regions (cf. Wolpertinger). The oldest written mention to date comes from Luckenbach, Texas. In 1847, sources reported that an “Elfendritschenwolpertinger” had been seen by German hunters in the woods around South Grape Creek.

== Appearance and origin == thumb|Sculpture of a male Elwetritsch Elbedritsche are described as resembling chickens in the broadest sense. They are said to be flightless and are often depicted with a long beak. Sometimes they are depicted with deer antlers, often with six legs. What the depictions have in common is that Elbedritsche combine parts of different animals.