Thunderbirds: Legendary Creatures or Misidentified Birds?

For a very long time, people have been fascinated by the mysterious beings known as thunderbirds, and they have made their way into both modern cryptozoological research and folklore. However, what precisely are these animals, and is it believable that they are the ancient thunderbirds of myth? Scientists studying cryptozoology speculate that they might be extinct dinosaurs.

Thunderbirds

The mythical Native American thunderbirds are essential to many indigenous civilizations across North America. Many Native American cultures frequently portray them as strong, avian-like creatures with mystical powers, such as the ability to conjure lightning and thunder by fluttering their wings. Many Native American cultures revere thunderbirds as symbols of heavenly power, fortitude, and protection. The legends and stories about these magnificent beasts, passed down through the ages, have shaped many tribes’ spiritual beliefs and cultural identities.

Many ideas and reports imply that thunderbirds might really exist; some people even claim to have seen these enormous beasts up close. Skeptics and cryptozoologists engage in a heated debate, seeking hard data to either confirm or deny the existence of these legendary creatures. There is ample anecdotal evidence to prove the reality of thunderbirds, according to some, while others contend that they are just the result of mythology and misidentifications. The answer to this age-old topic will only become clear through additional study and inquiry.

Fossil records contain some fascinating evidence: enormous flying dinosaurs known as teratorns once roamed North America. With wingspans of 13 to 16 feet (about three to five meters), these fearsome animals were impressive (Campbell & Tonni, 1983). There is strong evidence that even the largest teratorns were able to fly, despite their massive size and weight (Campbell & Tonni, 1983).

Ken Gerhard, a renowned cryptozoologist, has openly expressed his opinion that sightings of modern thunderbirds could potentially indicate the survival of teratorns. Gerhard is the author of several books, including Big Bird: Modern Sightings of Flying Monsters and Encounters with Flying Humanoids: Mothman, Manbirds, Gargoyles, and Other Winged Beasts (Gerhard, 2007; Gerhard, 2013). Some speculate that the ferocious pterodactyl or one of its distant relatives could be the source of these sightings, but it seems exceedingly unlikely that a flying reptile could remain hidden from human sight. In addition, reports of modern sightings of thunderbirds usually depict an object ornamented with feathers or vibrant plumage (Coleman, 2007).

Mistaken Identity?

The theory that extinct avian creatures could explain thunderbird sightings has sparked strong disagreement among naturalists and zoologists. They contend that the existence of a flying dinosaur in the United States would be improbable. As numerous ornithologists have noted, it would be difficult for such a massive beast to escape unnoticed given the enormous number of birdwatchers who are continuously scanning the skies. The problem, according to Illinois State University biologist Angelo P. Capparella (1990), is that there is just not enough food in the places where people report seeing these enormous birds.

Furthermore, supporting such a large bird of prey would require an equally enormous quantity of food. Due to this requirement, sightings of the creature during its hunting activities would probably increase. A thunderbird-sized predator, for instance, would have to eat a lot of meat every day, which would be evident in its hunting behavior (Sibley, 2000).

Renowned ufologist and journalist John A. Keel provides a fascinating viewpoint, asserting that thunderbird sightings frequently correspond with storms passing over the United States. This correlation may suggest that these enormous animals disguise themselves from view by using weather patterns (Keel, 1975). Still, there is doubt, even in the cryptozoological world. People often mistake thunderbirds for tiny planes or well-known large predatory birds like condors or eagles (Coleman, 2007).

Loren Coleman, a famous author and pioneer of the college credit course on cryptozoology, kept records of thunderbird sightings in the 1940s. Coleman (2007) suggests that these sightings are likely instances of mistaken identity involving huge birds such as crows or turkey vultures.

There is no denying the allure of the thought of a massive, winged creature swooping across our skies. But the wide open sky provides little cover for a flying monster to hide for millennia, unlike the enigmatic depths of lakes and seas or the uncharted heights of towering mountains. Therefore, even if the Thunderbird legend persists, the evidence suggests that misidentification and mythology are more likely causes of these encounters than the existence of prehistoric survivors.

References

• Campbell, K. E., & Tonni, E. P. (1983). Size and locomotion in teratorns (Aves: Teratornithidae). The Auk, 100(2), 390-403.

• Capparella, A. P. (1990). [Review of the book Thunderbirds: The Living Legend of Giant Birds, by M. A. Hall]. Cryptozoology, 9, 94-96.

• Coleman, L. (2007). Mysterious America: The Ultimate Guide to the Nation’s Weirdest Wonders, Strangest Spots, and Creepiest Creatures. Gallery Books.

• Gerhard, K. (2007). Big Bird: Modern Sightings of Flying Monsters. CFZ Press.

• Gerhard, K. (2013). Encounters with Flying Humanoids: Mothman, Manbirds, Gargoyles and Other Winged Beasts. Llewellyn Publications.