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Legend of the Thunderbird

© Florence Cardinal

The legend of the giant Thunderbird has been passed down through history for thousands of years. The Native Americans knew him well. They have celebrated the creature to the beat of the tom-toms. They have traced his outline in the petroglyphs on stone walls. Some of these drawings may date back to prehistory. They have carved his likeness into towering totem poles that tell the story of their history.

From east to west, from north to south, the legends may differ, the name may not be the same, but all tribes speak of a giant bird that soared across the skies.

Giant birds fly the skies of ancient mythology. They flew above Egypt and may have watched the building of the pyramids. India and China both speak of giant birds and have given them the status of gods. In some ethnic groups, it is believed that the Thunderbird is a man, a shapeshifter able to take on the form of a giant bird.

But these creatures are not spoken of only in the past. Sightings have continued throughout the years. In 1925, two people visiting the Albert Rockies reported seeing a giant bird. The bird has been seen in several northern states, including Pennsylvania. Recent reports have the giant wings flapping above Illinois.

What is the Thunderbird? The recent and continuing sightings rule out the theory that the creature is merely a fantastic myth, a part of folklore and legend. Could it, perhaps, be a species of vulture or condor? These are large birds, yes, but none are as large as the gigantic birds in some of the reports.

Another theory: Perhaps this is a species of dinosaur, an animal long thought extinct, a pterodactyl, perhaps. Fossilized pterodactyls with a wingspan of 23 feet have been found, and it is estimated that some of them may have attained a wingspan of 40 feet or more!

But, until someone actually manages to capture or kill one of these giant flying fortresses, it's all speculation. Some stories warn that these birds have been known to take everything from deer to cats and dogs to small children. Let's hope the ones seen in the skies above Greensburg, Pennsylvania last fall never resort to abducting children.

Do you believe Thunderbirds really exist? If so, why not post a note in the discussion area below this article and tell us what you think they are, or drop me an email at cardinal@telusplanet.net I'd love to hear from you.