The Thunderbird of Native Americans THE THUNDERBIRD IS A WIDESPREAD FIGURE IN NATIVE AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. Described as a supernatural being, the enormous bird was a symbol of power and strength that protected humans from evil spirits . It was called the Thunderbird because the flapping of its powerful wings sounded like thunder, and lightning would shoot out of its eyes. The Thunderbirds brought rain and storms, which could be good or bad. Good – when the rain was needed or bad when the rain came with destructive strong winds, floods, and fires caused by lightning. The bird was said to be so large, that several legends tell it picking up a whale in its talons. They were said to have bright and colorful feathers, with sharp teeth and claws. They were said to live in the clouds high above the tallest mountains. VARIOUS TRIBES HAVE DIFFERENT ORAL TRADITIONS ABOUT THE MAGICAL THUNDERBIRD, WHICH THEY BOTH HIGHLY RESPECTED AND FEARED. In Gros Ventre tradition