The Giant Birds

Thunderbirds are legendary giant birds reported across North America, with roots in Native American mythology. Modern sightings describe creatures with wingspans far exceeding any known bird, and a famous “lost photograph” adds to the mystery.

The Legend

Native American origin:

• Pan-tribal mythology
• Storm bringers
• Sacred creatures
• Ancient traditions
• Still reported

Physical Descriptions

Witnesses report:

• 15-20 foot wingspan
• Dark coloring
• Featherless heads
• Pterodactyl-like
• Massive size

The Lost Photo

Famous mystery:

• Tombstone Epitaph 1890?
• Giant bird pinned to barn
• Cowboys surrounding it
• Photo existed
• Now lost/missing

The Photo Mystery

Strange phenomenon:

• Many remember seeing it
• In books, magazines
• Can’t be found now
• Mandela Effect?
• Or real and hidden?

Native Traditions

Tribal beliefs:

• Lakota Wakinyan
• Ojibwe Animikii
• Universal theme
• Respected/feared
• Sacred creature

Tombstone Report

1890 article:

• Cowboys killed bird
• Huge wingspan
• Smooth skin
• Displayed in town
• Historical account

Pennsylvania Sightings

Modern reports:

• Multiple witnesses
• Since 1940s
• Black Hills area
• Continuing today
• Active region

The 1977 Lawndale Case

Illinois incident:

• Giant bird
• Grabbed 10-year-old boy
• Carried briefly
• Dropped him
• Multiple witnesses

Marlon Lowe

The boy:

• Age 10
• Playing in yard
• Bird seized him
• Carried distance
• Terrified family

Possible Explanations

Theories include:

• Misidentified condors
• Surviving teratorns
• Unknown species
• Mass hallucination
• Exaggeration

The Teratorn

Prehistoric candidate:

• Giant extinct bird
• 25 foot wingspan
• Existed once
• Could survivors remain?
• Possible explanation

Modern Sightings

Continue today:

• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• Alaska
• Various states
• Consistent descriptions

Size Problem

Scientific issue:

• Flight physics
• Maximum bird size
• Wingspan limits
• Should be impossible
• Yet reported

Investigation

Cryptozoologists:

• Track sightings
• Seek evidence
• Photo searches
• No specimens
• Mystery continues

Significance

Centuries of giant bird reports matching Native American legends with modern witnesses.

Legacy

Thunderbirds represent one of cryptozoology’s most persistent mysteries—creatures that shouldn’t exist by our understanding of physics, yet are reported year after year.