The Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is one of the most infamous and legendary creatures in Native American mythology. It is so heavily connected to the history and culture, you’ve likely seen multiple poles of sorts with them. Usually, they are depicted in a “totem pole” that can be seen across many Native American territories to this very day. There are many versions of the Thunderbird. It is supernatural in origin, known for its power and strength. In the Native American community, Thunderbirds have been used in artwork, songs, and in many stories for centuries. Plus, you’ll likely hear of different versions of these Thunderbirds based on the tribe.
For example, a tribe in the Southwest will have a different Thunderbird story or version than a tribe in the Northeast. Due to their legendary status, Thunderbirds are now believed to be similar to mythological creatures like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. Yet this might not be entirely true. Thunderbirds have a lot of similarities to an animal that once existed. Thunderbirds are known for being very large birds, known for power and strength, right? The Haast’s Eagle checks off every box. This is the largest eagle to have ever existed and was native to New Zealand. The Māori hunted them to extinction by 1400, but it is possible some of these Eagles were in the Americas at one point.