Reports of giant, winged creatures have emerged from various parts of the world, with a notable surge in sightings in Chicago and the broader Illinois area since 2011. These unusual encounters describe entities that resemble massive bats or prehistoric birds, sparking widespread curiosity and investigation. Paranormal researchers have diligently catalogued these incidents but have yet to provide clear explanations for their origins or motivations.

Eyewitness accounts span decades and continents, from mysterious shapes seen in Oklahoma in 1916 to alarming encounters in Europe and South America. Many have described these creatures as having imposing size, striking features such as glowing red eyes, and the ability to instill a deep sense of fear in those who witness them. The nature and frequency of these sightings continue to provoke debate and exploration.

Key Takeaways

Sightings of giant, bird-like creatures have increased in recent years in Illinois and worldwide.
Accounts describe large, mysterious entities with unsettling characteristics and behaviors.
Researchers and witnesses remain uncertain about the origin and purpose of these encounters.

Unusual Creature Encounters in Chicago and Illinois

More Frequent Sightings After 2011

Since 2011, there has been a noticeable rise in accounts from people in Illinois, especially around Chicago, describing encounters with very large, bat-like or bird-like creatures. Reports increased even further beginning in 2017.

Researchers, such as Manuel Navarette and Lon Strickler, have been systematically tracking these sightings. The cause of the increase is still unknown, but a few think these appearances could signal upcoming disasters, citing similar incidents near the Silver Bridge collapse and the Chernobyl event. Despite these theories, a definitive explanation has yet to be found.

Sightings Trends Table

Year Reports Noted Area 2011 Marked increase Chicago, Illinois 2017 Surge in reports Chicago, Illinois

First-Hand Experiences from Witnesses

A variety of personal accounts highlight the strange nature of these sightings:

In the summer of 2011, a man arriving home late for several nights in a row experienced chills and a strong sense of being watched. On the seventh night, he saw a tall, shadowy figure with bright red eyes in his courtyard. He described the creature as much taller than himself and stated it moved toward him before he ran inside.
- Key Details:
  - Height: Greater than 6'4" (the height of the witness)
  - Eyes: Large and red
  - Behavior: Followed and watched the witness, moved on two legs
Some researchers recognize similarities between these reports and the descriptions of creatures observed in incidents at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and near Chernobyl prior to those respective disasters.
There are disagreements about the authenticity of certain photographs alleged to capture these creatures, particularly one reportedly taken around the Twin Towers before 2001.

Notable Features in Witness Accounts:

Large size (often described as massive)
Frequently black in color
Winged or bat-like appearance
Red, glowing eyes

Such detailed witness descriptions continue to fuel ongoing investigations in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

Unusual Creature Investigations and Hypotheses

Research by Manuel Neverrete and Lon Strickler

Manuel Neverrete and Lon Strickler have systematically collected and reviewed accounts of large, bat-like and ancient bird-shaped creatures reported in Illinois, especially around Chicago since 2011. According to their compiled cases, sightings significantly increased around 2017. These reports describe creatures with imposing wingspans, sometimes compared to giants.

A summary table of notable instances:

Year Location Description 2011+ Chicago area Large, winged humanoid entities 1916 Noxee, Oklahoma Giant, human-shaped figure with wings, observed by two clear-headed men 2014 Colino, Argentina Humanoid with wings, seen airborne by residents and officers 2015 Alameda, Portugal Four-foot-tall bat-like being

Eyewitnesses often mention red, glowing eyes and experiences of fear or paralysis. No conclusive explanation has emerged, though the investigators remain focused on gathering more data and patterns.

Theories of Ominous Warnings

Some researchers and witnesses suggest these sightings might precede catastrophic events, based on past associations:

Point Pleasant, West Virginia (1967): Reports of similar winged creatures, before the collapse of the Silver Bridge.
Chernobyl (1986): Witnesses claim sightings of large, dark winged beings ahead of the nuclear disaster.
World Trade Center: Debate exists about an alleged photograph of a dark entity near the Twin Towers before their fall, though its authenticity is disputed.

Witness and researcher discussions note:

The connection between appearances of these beings and tragic incidents is not definitive.
Some propose these creatures act as omens or harbingers, though clear causality is unproven.

Evidence largely remains anecdotal and open to interpretation, but the recurring claims continue to intrigue both local communities and investigators.

Reports of Giant Winged Beings in History

The 1916 Sighting Near Coffeyville, Kansas

In July 1916, two individuals—Frank Skinner and Geo Gregg—claimed to encounter an enormous winged entity while driving near the town of Noxee, Oklahoma. According to their account, the figure was spotted standing on a distant hill before it took flight, soaring rapidly over a herd of cattle. Both witnesses described its silhouette as that of a giant figure with expansive wings.

Date Location Witnesses Description July 7, 1916 Near Noxee, Oklahoma Frank Skinner, Geo Gregg Giant human-like form with wings

They were both clear-headed at the time, and neither could confidently identify what they had seen. While one considered the possibility of an early flying device, the other refused to speculate, strongly asserting the experience as authentic but entirely unfamiliar.

Bird-Like Creatures and Their Association With Catastrophes

There are ongoing discussions among researchers regarding reports of massive bird-like entities preceding major disasters. Accounts from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, describe sightings before the Silver Bridge collapse in 1967. Similar claims were made about the Chernobyl disaster, with reports of giant winged figures emerging before the 1986 nuclear accident.

Some have even mentioned photos said to show a dark, avian figure near the World Trade Center before its destruction, though the authenticity of such images remains contested. These alleged appearances have led some investigators to hypothesize a link between sightings of these creatures and approaching tragedies.

Summary Table

Event Year Reported Creature Connection Claimed Silver Bridge Collapse 1967 Winged humanoid Seen prior to bridge fall Chernobyl Meltdown 1986 Bird-like entity Reports before meltdown World Trade Center Attacks 2001 Black bird-like figure Photo exists, disputed

This pattern of encounters has influenced public perception, raising questions about whether these sightings are coincidental or indicative of a larger phenomenon.

Notable Global Sightings

The Black-Winged Figure in Italy

A man in Italy reported a series of unsettling encounters during the summer of 2011. Over the course of a week, he experienced nightly chills, a persistent sense of being watched, and eventually heard heavy footsteps outside his home. On the seventh night, he saw a towering, shadowy creature with large, glowing red eyes that appeared taller than six feet. The creature walked toward him, prompting him to flee and observe its eyes watching him through his gate. He described the figure as resembling a massive crow and noted that its presence left a lasting fear.

Key Details:

Location: Italy, summer 2011
Height Estimate: Over 6'4"
Appearance: Black, shadowy, large red eyes
Duration of Sighting: Several seconds

Large Flying Creature Observed in Southern Portugal

In late August 2015, four individuals hiking in the woodlands of southern Portugal witnessed a flying animal that did not match any known species. One of the hikers described the entity as a four-foot-tall bat-like or primate-like figure. The sighting only lasted a few seconds as the being flew overhead and disappeared from view.

Key Details Table:

Aspect Description Date August 2015 Location Alameda, Southern Portugal Number of Witnesses Four Description Four-foot tall, bat or primate-like, flying and silent

Winged Humanoid Sighting in a Rural Argentine Town

In October 2014, multiple residents in Colino, Argentina, saw a winged, humanoid creature moving through the sky. The event unsettled the community, leading some to leave town temporarily. When local police investigated, they found no evidence. Later, a firefighter and a police officer encountered a black-robed figure matching earlier descriptions; after being pursued, the entity reportedly revealed wings and ascended into the sky.

Highlights:

Location: Colino, Argentina
Date: October 2014
Type of Creature: Humanoid with wings
Aftermath: Some residents temporarily left; authorities unable to explain

Unidentified Entity at the Trout Lake Ranch

In 2006, during an observation at a ranch in Trout Lake near Mount Adams, Washington, multiple unknown aerial phenomena were reported. One observer, who had watched various unexplained lights in the sky, described a particularly striking sighting: a human-sized, winged creature resembling a giant stingray. This entity was seen moving across a field, distinct from the faster aerial lights that had been previously noted.

Sightings List:

Flashes and rapid movements in the sky
Human-sized, winged figure likened to a flying stingray
Observed at a distance of approximately 200 yards from the witness

Eyewitness Descriptions and Phenomena

Observed Features and Creature Appearance

Eyewitnesses have described encountering creatures that resemble overgrown bats or birds from prehistoric eras. Reports often mention a large, shadowy presence, sometimes with wingspans that far exceed typical bird species in the region. Unique attributes such as unusually large, red, glowing eyes and human-like height are frequently highlighted.

Some accounts note the creatures moving either by flying or walking upright like a person. Additional observations include bird-like forms with pronounced wings and black hooded appearances. In rare instances, witnesses compared the observed entities to giant bats or even described them as human-sized flying stingrays.

Feature Description Size Larger than humans, often tall Eyes Prominent, red, luminous Wing Structure Massive, bat-like or bird-like Movement Both airborne and bipedal Sound Heavy footsteps or minimal noise

Witness Responses and Emotional Impact

Reactions to sightings of these unusual beings range from intense fear to a sense of paralysis. Several witnesses reported immediate feelings of dread or an unexplainable coldness upon encountering the apparition. Physical responses included freezing in place, feeling watched, and in some cases, fleeing the scene.

Witnesses often described lingering fright, with some individuals avoiding the areas of their sightings or discussing the event only with close friends or family. Emotional effects can persist well after the encounter, with some reporting that simply recalling the sighting revives feelings of terror or anxiety. Others have left their communities temporarily, especially when multiple unexplained sightings occurred in a short period.

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