The Millennial Barnacle Goose Myth: From Ancient Legends to Scientific Explanation

This article delves into the enduring myth of the barnacle goose, a belief that certain geese originated from barnacles. The myth, rooted in a lack of understanding of bird migration patterns, spread widely through monastic manuscripts and bestiaries in the Middle Ages. The article traces the myth's origins, from an 11th-century riddle to a misattributed reference in Pliny the Elder's Natural History, and examines Emperor Frederick II's skepticism and the (debated) involvement of the medieval Church. The Renaissance saw the myth persist in Scottish and Irish writings, until 19th-century zoological advancements, particularly Darwin's research on barnacles, provided a scientific refutation. The article also explores the myth's presence in Jewish literature.