The Curupira is a forest spirit of the Tupi-Guarani traditions of the Amazon, whose feet are turned backwards so that his tracks mislead anyone who follows them. He is a guardian who punishes humans who wantonly harvest lumber.
He produces a high-pitched whistle mimicking the call of the tinamou bird, and can imitate human voices to lure rubber tappers and hunters into losing their way. The Jesuit priest José de Anchieta documented the being in 1560, writing that certain demons the Brazilians call "corupira" often attack and wound the Indians in the bush.