In Mayan mythology, Vucub Caquix, Seven Macaw, was a large bird that dwelled on the surface of the world after the flood. He was very vain and proclaimed himself the sun and moon, the lord over everything.
This was when there was just a trace of early dawn on the face of the earth, there was no sun. But there was one who magnified himself; Seven Macaw is his name. The sky-earth was already there, but the face of the sun-moon was clouded over. Even so, it is said that his light provided a sign for the people who were flooded. He was like a person of genius in his being.
“I am great. My place is now higher than that of the human work, the human design. I am their sun and I am their light, and I am also their months.”
“So be it: my light is great. I am the walkway and I am the foothold of the people, because my eyes are of metal. My teeth just glitter with jewels, and turquoise as well; they stand out blue with stones like the face of the sky.”
“And this nose of mine shines white into the distance like the moon. Since my nest is metal, it lights up the face of the earth. When I come forth before my nest, I am like the sun and moon for those who are born in the light, begotten in the light. It must be so, because my face reaches into the distance,” says Seven Macaw.
– Popol Vuh, Book 1
The hero twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, were angered by this and decided to slay the monster. In order to accomplish this, the twins hid under the bird’s favorite tree and waited with their blow-guns for him to arrive. When he did, Hunahpu shot him in the face. Vucub Caquix became enraged, ripped off Hunahpu’s arm, & escaped. The hero twins then convinced an old couple to pose as healers and visit the bird, offering to cure his eyes and teeth. The old couple tricked the bird by telling him that in order to cure him, they needed to replace his eyes and teeth. When he agreed, they substituted grains of corn for his teeth and eyes. After that, Vucub Caquix lost his power and quickly died.
Volac