The Thunderbird is a cryptozoological creature associated with large bird-like animals that live anywhere from Northern Canada and Alaska down to Central America. Similar animals often appear in Native American mythology; some tales tell of enormous eagles strong enough to carry whales back to their nests. Since pioneers began moving west across the North American plains, sightings of large birds have been reported. Similar stories appear from civilizations around the world.
The Legend[]
Native tribes all across North America, especially along the Pacific coast and in the Great Lakes area, have stories depicting enormous birds of prey. Some stories told that these birds were so large and powerful that when they flapped their wings, thunder was created. Lightning flashed out of their eyes, and water fell off their backs, creating rain. The tribes used thunderbirds to explain some of the things that happened naturally, such as storms and other forms of weather. The legend of the Passamaquoddies, for example, describes the quest of two Native Americans in search of the source of thunder high in the mountains. Other stories said that there was a thunderbird who battled an enormous killer whale. When the two beasts fought, they destroyed much of the land, knocking down trees and causing much destruction. Although dangerous and powerful beings, thunderbirds were also seen as benevolent nature spirits, and they sometimes assisted the tribes in their search for food during periods of famine. The igneous rocks known as thunderstones are the eggs of these creatures according to some legends.
1977 Lawndale, Illinois thunderbird attack[]
An illustration of the 1977 Lawndale, Illinois Thunderbird Attack.
An illustration of the 1977 Lawndale, Illinois Thunderbird Attack.
The 1977 Lawndale, Illinois Thunderbird Attack was a reported attack by two unidentified birds on a young boy. The attack occurred on July 25, 1977. 10-year-old Marlon Lowe was playing outside, when he was suddenly attacked by two large birds, one of which temporarily picked him up and carried him over 30 feet before Marlon’s mother, Ruth Lowe, ran to her son’s rescue, chasing the birds away and then recovering her traumatized son.
Reportedly, several eyewitnesses had seen the attack take place. The birds were described as having a white ring around their necks, a 4 and a half foot body with each wing approximately four feet long, a six-inch hooked bill, three front claws, one back claw, and a large black body.
Thunderbirds Today[]
Argentavis, a giant prehistoric condor, compared to a human. This is a plausible explanation for the thunderbird.
Sightings of large bird-like creatures have been reported for many years, at least since people began settling further west in the United States and Canada. One of the most famous reports is from 1890, when two Arizona cowboys claimed to have shot and killed a large bird. It was described as having no feathers, and it had a head similar to that of an alligator. The two men supposedly dragged the dead bird back to town after killing it. The report seems to suggest that this creature looked more like a pterodactyl or a dragon than any modern-day bird.
Today, Cryptozoologists usually refer to thunderbird legends in the same way as any flying cryptids, such as the Kongamato, the Roc, the Ropen, and even sometimes the Jersey Devil. These flying creatures are often associated with modern-day pterosaurs; many of the encounters with the creatures, including the Thunderbirds, are all described similarly. Quite often, the creatures are said to resemble pterosaurs, which were thought to be extinct for millions of years.
Living Giant Thunderbirds Flying
Footage showing supposed “thunderbirds.” These birds are actually most likely turkey vultures, notice the silver lining under the wings. Turkey vultures have a large, 6-foot wingspan.
Explanation[]
- Thunderbirds may be modern-day teratorns, however, this is unlikely since no flying bird bigger than an albatross or an Andean condor has been discovered in recent times. But then again, they could still live.
- Pterosaurs are suspects in thunderbird sightings, but this seems far-fetched as pterosaurs, according to science, have been long-extinct since the Late Cretaceous around 66 million years ago.
- Some exotic non-native birds like the African crowned eagles and Andean condors, possibly escaping from captivity, may have played a role in thunderbird sightings, with African crowned eagles said to have caused so-called "thunderbird attacks" and Andean condors being mistaken for the larger mythical thunderbird at first glance.
- Thunderbird sightings may be just hoaxes made by pranksters, or cryptid enthusiasts' mistaken identifications of real/native American birds.
Gallery[]
