XIRIGÜELLA-LAPWING-AVEFRIA

[Marta Elena Díaz García]

For me, an Asturian word related with winter is:

Xirigüella, the name used for the lapwing. In Spanish: Avefría.

I used to go with my father to see the lapwings in the grasslands during winter. It was a wonderful spectacle.

It is a pity that xirigüellas are trapped or shot in most European Countries as gastronomic delicacies.

Only in Austria lapwings are protected and in Portugal since 2000.

“Pareces una xirigüella” means “you look like a lapwing” (your crown hair is like the upturned crest of the lapwing) .

I don´t know any other Asturian sayings employing this word.