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The 1977 thunderbird encounter in lawndale, illinois

Lawndale's Legendary Thunderbird Encounter | Eyewitnesses Spark Controversy with New Details

By

Marcus Eldridge

Apr 21, 2025, 05:05 AM

Updated

Apr 22, 2025, 06:15 PM

2 minutes of reading

Two large Thunderbirds with black bodies and white ringed necks flying over Lawndale, Illinois, as a boy reaches for safety with his mother nearby.
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A bizarre incident in 1977 in Lawndale, Illinois, where a giant bird allegedly snatched ten-year-old Maron Lowe, has once again stirred debates among locals. The renewed interest comes after recent comments revealed new aspects of the event, prompting discussions over credibility and the identity of the bird involved.

The Incident Revisited

The encounter began as an ordinary day for Maron Lowe. Eyewitnesses reported seeing two massive birds, described as 4 feet tall with all-black plumage and distinctive white neck rings, swoop down unexpectedly. As one bird allegedly grabbed Lowe, his mother and other bystanders rushed to his aid. Many people still query whether the incident was a case of mistaken identity or an actual extraordinary event.

New Takeaways from Community Insights

  1. Visible Scars Confirmed: Followers on community boards highlighted that Lowe reportedly bears a scar from the incident, visible during an interview for the show "Lost Monster Files" on the Discovery Channel. This revelation adds a new layer to the discussion, suggesting more substantial physical evidence of the encounter.

  2. Diverse Bird Behavior Theories: Comments indicate skepticism about whether a bird could lift a child, with one contributor stating, "It would be near impossible for even large birds to carry off anything other than toddlers." This perspective shifts some opinions to a broader conversation about large birds hunting routines, even drawing parallels to golden eagles that kill prey much larger than themselves by leveraging gravity.

  3. Questioning the Hoax Narrative: A strong stance emerged against the idea of a hoax surrounding the incident. One critic rightly pointed out, "If it was a hoax, that means the family had to somehow make talon marks on the kid" This statement highlights a growing sentiment that questions wild conjectures labeling the event as mere fiction.

Agreement on Bird Identity

Many commenters agree that the bird involved may likely have been an Andean Condor. Some people pointed out that similar behaviors from these birds have been documented, further supporting the theory that they were wild, rather than escaped circus animals, as others suggested.

Community Sentiment

Debate continues in Lawndale, with a mix of curiosity and skepticism among the people. Advocates argue for a reclassification of events labeled as "thunderbirds," advocating for terms like "big birds" that reflect various sightings.

"The witnesses all agreed they were Andean condors," a participant noted.

Key Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ” Lowe received a noticeable scar from the incident, shown in media interviews.

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Opinions vary about the likelihood of large birds, with some deeming a childโ€™s abduction improbable.

  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ There's pushback against calling the encounter a hoax, given the physical evidence reported.

As this fascinating chapter in Lawndaleโ€™s history unfolds further, how will residents and enthusiasts reinterpret folklore moving forward? Discussions continue, blending local lore with modern skepticism.