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Creature record / 1977

Texas John Huffer Films Thunderbirds at Lake Shelbyville

c. 1977 · Cove near the Findlay marina, Lake Shelbyville, Shelby County, Illinois, United States
29Thinly documented Cryptid Creature 21 sources 1 real photos 3 videos

Summer 1977. Central Illinois was already talking about giant birds. Days earlier, in Lawndale, a boy of 10 had reportedly been lifted by one. Then John Huffer took his boat out on Lake Shelbyville. With him were his son, Jason, and a 16 mm camera. In a cove near the Findlay marina, two large jet-black birds sat together in a tree. Something startled them. They rose and soared out over the water. Huffer kept filming. He came home with about 100 feet of colour film and a bold claim. "I think I have photographed a living legend." Officials called them turkey vultures. The argument over what the film really shows has never ended.

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Context

Summer 1977. Illinois was in the grip of a big bird scare. On 25 July, in Lawndale, 10-year-old Marlon Lowe was reportedly lifted by one of two black birds with white neck rings. His mother, Ruth Lowe, intervened. The story spread fast.

Sources (21, most influential first)

  1. Film Crew Documents Tuscola Chief's Big Bird Story · s8int · Wiki, blog, podcast · blog
  2. Lawndale's Big Birds · Cryptomundo · Wiki, blog, podcast · blog
  3. MonsterQuest S1 E4: Birdzilla · History · Press, book, documentary · tv
  4. 1977: Giant mystery bird scares Central Illinois · WCIA · Press, book, documentary · news
  5. Legend Says This Illinois Thunderbird Picked Up a Small Child · WROK 1440 / Townsquare Media· 2022 · Press, book, documentary · news