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The Unknown Andean Condor
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The Unknown Andean Condor
6 Further Assessment of the Lawndale Incident.
I will further evaluate the 1977 Lawndale, Illinois incident in this assessment. From my previous post [UAC5], I presented an argument that an adult female Andean Condor was responsible for the attack on a child in Lawndale owing to how the bird’s toes became caught in the type of garment worn by the victim which caused him to be propelled forward for a distance of about 35 feet. Here I will add further comment on some particulars which specifically relate to the incident, though my post does not fully expound on others, namely how the movements of condors appearing in the United States is a naturally-occurring phenomenon.
I will further evaluate the 1977 Lawndale, Illinois incident in this assessment. From my previous post [UAC5], I presented an argument that an adult female Andean Condor was responsible for the attack on a child in Lawndale owing to how the bird’s toes became caught in the type of garment worn by the victim which caused him to be propelled forward for a distance of about 35 feet. Here I will add further comment on some particulars which specifically relate to the incident, though my post does not fully expound on others, namely how the movements of condors appearing in the United States is a naturally-occurring phenomenon.
My map of the locality as featured in the previous also highlighted areas where other sightings took place, including Tazewell, McLean, DeWitt, and Marion counties. (Claims of observations of giant birds in DuPage, Vermilion counties were also highlighted, but these were not part of the same series in question and will be, eventually, discussed in a separate posting on other related incidents in the state.) As I also will note, below, I have new information that may also warrant the inclusion of Cook County as part of this series.
My map of the locality as featured in the previous also highlighted areas where other sightings took place, including Tazewell, McLean, DeWitt, and Marion counties. (Claims of observations of giant birds in DuPage, Vermilion counties were also highlighted, but these were not part of the same series in question and will be, eventually, discussed in a separate posting on other related incidents in the state.) As I also will note, below, I have new information that may also warrant the inclusion of Cook County as part of this series.
Map of Logan County, Illinois, with Kickapoo Creek marked blue. In the Lawndale incident, Kickapoo Creek was the area to which the two birds were last seen heading, according to witnesses. Image adapted from map appearing in Illinois: Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. John H. Long, ed.; p. 142 (1997).
Map of Logan County, Illinois, with Kickapoo Creek marked blue. In the Lawndale incident, Kickapoo Creek was the area to which the two birds were last seen heading, according to witnesses. Image adapted from map appearing in Illinois: Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. John H. Long, ed.; p. 142 (1997).
Image of adult female Andean Condor, the species observed in Lawndale, Illinois on July 25, 1977, and also observed near Minier, Illinois (July 28, 1977) and in Bloomington, Illinois (July 31, 1977).
Image of adult female Andean Condor, the species observed in Lawndale, Illinois on July 25, 1977, and also observed near Minier, Illinois (July 28, 1977) and in Bloomington, Illinois (July 31, 1977).
The primary source I have consulted in evaluating the sightings is Hall’s Thunderbirds, a work which I have previously cited [UAC3, UAC5]. The author’s treatment of events is comprehensive. In the 2007 edition of his revision, he recognizes eleven events as part of this series (20), the first of course being the Lawndale incident. There was, as I had noted, another Lawndale witness who would only use the name “Mr. Cox” (not in Hall), and who, not of the Lowe party that evening, was purportedly and belatedly the first to have seen the birds, about a minute before their appearance at the Lowe’s (8:10 P.M.).
The primary source I have consulted in evaluating the sightings is Hall’s Thunderbirds, a work which I have previously cited [UAC3, UAC5]. The author’s treatment of events is comprehensive. In the 2007 edition of his revision, he recognizes eleven events as part of this series (20), the first of course being the Lawndale incident. There was, as I had noted, another Lawndale witness who would only use the name “Mr. Cox” (not in Hall), and who, not of the Lowe party that evening, was purportedly and belatedly the first to have seen the birds, about a minute before their appearance at the Lowe’s (8:10 P.M.).
I have identified four additional sightings as inclusive to the discussion, with two others worth consideration. Two of them demonstrate an observation of the Andean Condor to diagnosis.
I have identified four additional sightings as inclusive to the discussion, with two others worth consideration. Two of them demonstrate an observation of the Andean Condor to diagnosis.
In the community of Covell, Illinois (McLean County), Stanley Thompson, his wife, and four other witnesses claimed to have seen a giant bird, with a wingspan estimated to be ten feet, appear near the barn on their farm, it seeming to be attracted to the remote-controlled model planes being flown overhead. Its plumage was described as “brown with white wing tips.” This description does not allow diagnosis to species, yet I will ascribe it as proximately diagnostic. This bird, a lone individual, was certainly not like the two described from Lawndale, and an immature Andean Condor, likely a female immature condor, would be brown in plumage overall. The reference to “white wing tips” needs careful consideration. I had at first believed this to be a reference to white panels, typical of the Andean’s secondaries. However, it is the adult condor which is characterized by these; the panels begin to show as the plumage in the mature individuals becomes blacker. It is an intriguing point in the description, though it is altogether wanting in details. I think that what Thompson was noting was probably the distinctive white shafts of the primaries of an immature, or, less likely, paler contrasting feathers of the underwing and upperwing coverts. I am at a loss to consider what other type of raptor this would be, aside from the circumstance of its appearance coinciding with the other sightings. This incident occurred July 28, 1977, at about 8 P.M. As other accounts I have read relate to giant birds having been seen near moving aircraft, it is plausible to argue that this bird may have been attracted to the model planes flying over their barn.
In the community of Covell, Illinois (McLean County), Stanley Thompson, his wife, and four other witnesses claimed to have seen a giant bird, with a wingspan estimated to be ten feet, appear near the barn on their farm, it seeming to be attracted to the remote-controlled model planes being flown overhead. Its plumage was described as “brown with white wing tips.” This description does not allow diagnosis to species, yet I will ascribe it as proximately diagnostic. This bird, a lone individual, was certainly not like the two described from Lawndale, and an immature Andean Condor, likely a female immature condor, would be brown in plumage overall. The reference to “white wing tips” needs careful consideration. I had at first believed this to be a reference to white panels, typical of the Andean’s secondaries. However, it is the adult condor which is characterized by these; the panels begin to show as the plumage in the mature individuals becomes blacker. It is an intriguing point in the description, though it is altogether wanting in details. I think that what Thompson was noting was probably the distinctive white shafts of the primaries of an immature, or, less likely, paler contrasting feathers of the underwing and upperwing coverts. I am at a loss to consider what other type of raptor this would be, aside from the circumstance of its appearance coinciding with the other sightings. This incident occurred July 28, 1977, at about 8 P.M. As other accounts I have read relate to giant birds having been seen near moving aircraft, it is plausible to argue that this bird may have been attracted to the model planes flying over their barn.
While driving between the towns of Minier and Armington (Tazewell County) about 5:30 P.M., the same day, Janet Brandt reported seeing a great bird having a ring of white around its neck. This latter point refers to an observation of the condor that is diagnostic. Again, the sighting happens towards evening. (Map in Hall accounts for the sighting of Janet Brandt twice as it had occurred between the communities of Armington and Minier.)
While driving between the towns of Minier and Armington (Tazewell County) about 5:30 P.M., the same day, Janet Brandt reported seeing a great bird having a ring of white around its neck. This latter point refers to an observation of the condor that is diagnostic. Again, the sighting happens towards evening. (Map in Hall accounts for the sighting of Janet Brandt twice as it had occurred between the communities of Armington and Minier.)
The Andean Condor was identified to diagnosis in Bloomington (McLean County). This would be the sighting of Mrs. Albert Dunham and her son, Albert, which occurred about 2–4 P.M. on July 31. In this case the white ring around the neck was noted. However, Hall forges an association between the incident and the subsequent sighting there by a news reporter of Great Blue Herons; this suggestion is inappropriate, and I believe that the former event is extricable from the later.
The Andean Condor was identified to diagnosis in Bloomington (McLean County). This would be the sighting of Mrs. Albert Dunham and her son, Albert, which occurred about 2–4 P.M. on July 31. In this case the white ring around the neck was noted. However, Hall forges an association between the incident and the subsequent sighting there by a news reporter of Great Blue Herons; this suggestion is inappropriate, and I believe that the former event is extricable from the later.
A farm south of the town of Odin (Marion County) represented the locality of the final episode in the series, the sighting happening on August 11, 1977, and after which no further reports, putative or otherwise, being made known. John and Wanda Chappell and their son, John, watched a bird, which they compared to a vulture but superior in size, with difficulty land on a tree branch outside their home. For about ten minutes Wanda Chappell took note of its appearance through bins, but her description does not quite allow me to ascribe to diagnosis the Andean Condor.
A farm south of the town of Odin (Marion County) represented the locality of the final episode in the series, the sighting happening on August 11, 1977, and after which no further reports, putative or otherwise, being made known. John and Wanda Chappell and their son, John, watched a bird, which they compared to a vulture but superior in size, with difficulty land on a tree branch outside their home. For about ten minutes Wanda Chappell took note of its appearance through bins, but her description does not quite allow me to ascribe to diagnosis the Andean Condor.
“It looked like a prehistoric bird. It was really fantastic. The head didn’t have any feathers and it had a long neck, crooked, kind of ‘S’ shaped. The body was covered with feathers and was gray or charcoal-colored.”
Certainly this was a vulture, likely an immature or juvenile Andean, but on account of the uniformity of the plumage of the younger condors not allowing for ready identification distinguishing it from related species, I must ascribe this sighting as proximately diagnostic. (See also Centralia Sentinel (Aug. 11, 1977) and Bloomington Pantagraph (Aug. 12, 1977.))
Certainly this was a vulture, likely an immature or juvenile Andean, but on account of the uniformity of the plumage of the younger condors not allowing for ready identification distinguishing it from related species, I must ascribe this sighting as proximately diagnostic. (See also Centralia Sentinel (Aug. 11, 1977) and Bloomington Pantagraph (Aug. 12, 1977.))
The sighting in Waynesville (DeWitt County) involved residents who described a giant blackish bird with a wingspan of about eight feet. The description seems ambiguous but worth mention. I had nonetheless in my previous post highlighted the county as part this series owing to this particular claim.
The sighting in Waynesville (DeWitt County) involved residents who described a giant blackish bird with a wingspan of about eight feet. The description seems ambiguous but worth mention. I had nonetheless in my previous post highlighted the county as part this series owing to this particular claim.
A sixth sighting in the series, more detailed in Hall’s book, deserves special attention, though I am unable to ascribe it as even a questionable sighting of an Andean Condor. Near Delavan (Tazewell County) at ten minutes to 6 A.M. on July 29, James Majors claimed to have seen two birds with wingspans of eight feet circling over a farm, one of which he saw attacking what he presumed to be a young pig (as though with the intent of abduction). The particulars of this case I find difficult to appreciate on account of how the birds’ behavior was characterized and also, especially, on the lack of any description of plumage or body characters from the witness. Yet he did offer a point which is not singular to other descriptions of giant birds or other anomalous creatures I have examined. Majors described them as having a “”mean-looking” appearance,” and, this or similar phrases being used in other cases however independent of each other, I have reason to suggest that the feature was a characterization of the bird due to the furrow forming over the supraorbital ridge allowing for the “expression.”
A sixth sighting in the series, more detailed in Hall’s book, deserves special attention, though I am unable to ascribe it as even a questionable sighting of an Andean Condor. Near Delavan (Tazewell County) at ten minutes to 6 A.M. on July 29, James Majors claimed to have seen two birds with wingspans of eight feet circling over a farm, one of which he saw attacking what he presumed to be a young pig (as though with the intent of abduction). The particulars of this case I find difficult to appreciate on account of how the birds’ behavior was characterized and also, especially, on the lack of any description of plumage or body characters from the witness. Yet he did offer a point which is not singular to other descriptions of giant birds or other anomalous creatures I have examined. Majors described them as having a “”mean-looking” appearance,” and, this or similar phrases being used in other cases however independent of each other, I have reason to suggest that the feature was a characterization of the bird due to the furrow forming over the supraorbital ridge allowing for the “expression.”
I find that the other incidents of which Hall treats as part of the series either as observations of birds whose description is ambiguous for inclusion–such as the claim of a witness in Tremont, Illinois–or whose description may have been of another species, likely the Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias, as in the sightings of “crane-like” birds in Lincoln in two incidents. From my previous report, I also reject the claim of birds filmed by John Huffer of Shelbyville being a species other than the Turkey Vulture; review of that film will show a molting flight feather not unusual to Turkey Vultures. The July 30 sighting near Gillum, Illinois is also ambiguous as a clear description was not offered, and that the bird would be observed dropping a rat from its perch on a telephone pole indicates behavior unlike that of a condor, which does not carry nor clutch prey, but perhaps being that of a bird of prey common to the region such as an owl or a Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis.
I find that the other incidents of which Hall treats as part of the series either as observations of birds whose description is ambiguous for inclusion–such as the claim of a witness in Tremont, Illinois–or whose description may have been of another species, likely the Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias, as in the sightings of “crane-like” birds in Lincoln in two incidents. From my previous report, I also reject the claim of birds filmed by John Huffer of Shelbyville being a species other than the Turkey Vulture; review of that film will show a molting flight feather not unusual to Turkey Vultures. The July 30 sighting near Gillum, Illinois is also ambiguous as a clear description was not offered, and that the bird would be observed dropping a rat from its perch on a telephone pole indicates behavior unlike that of a condor, which does not carry nor clutch prey, but perhaps being that of a bird of prey common to the region such as an owl or a Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis.
Contemporary sources from newspapers also include the Bloomington Pantagraph (27 July, 29 July–2 Aug., 1977), Peoria Journal Star (30 July 1977), and the Champaign-Urbana Courier (1 Aug. 1977). While some of the reports borrow the term “Big Bird” in describing the birds, this in reference to the sightings of giant birds in southern Texas from the previous year, 1976, the term “Bigclaw” or “Big Claw” was also employed in the Illinois accounts.
Contemporary sources from newspapers also include the Bloomington Pantagraph (27 July, 29 July–2 Aug., 1977), Peoria Journal Star (30 July 1977), and the Champaign-Urbana Courier (1 Aug. 1977). While some of the reports borrow the term “Big Bird” in describing the birds, this in reference to the sightings of giant birds in southern Texas from the previous year, 1976, the term “Bigclaw” or “Big Claw” was also employed in the Illinois accounts.
Hall in his treatment excludes the sighting of a bird, days prior to the Lawndale incident, that proved to be an escaped Peafowl Pavo cristatus in New Holland, Illinois.
Hall in his treatment excludes the sighting of a bird, days prior to the Lawndale incident, that proved to be an escaped Peafowl Pavo cristatus in New Holland, Illinois.
This year I have also received new information, belated published testimony (March 29), from a comment made on my previous post about an alleged sighting that happened in Chicago (Cook County) in the same summer of 1977. The witness confided to me that the bird was seen at night, this a noteworthy point as it is consistent to other cases in this series and many other related cases. However, I felt that the description was ambiguous, though I give credence to the prospect of a giant bird being observed where it allegedly was.
This year I have also received new information, belated published testimony (March 29), from a comment made on my previous post about an alleged sighting that happened in Chicago (Cook County) in the same summer of 1977. The witness confided to me that the bird was seen at night, this a noteworthy point as it is consistent to other cases in this series and many other related cases. However, I felt that the description was ambiguous, though I give credence to the prospect of a giant bird being observed where it allegedly was.
The film that served as inspiration to my study on the thunderbird stories (Monsterquest: Birdzilla) sought to offer explanations as to what type of raptor or bird would have been responsible for the attack on a child in Lawndale. Meteorologist Joe Sobel offered explanation for how weather patterns could have affected the movements of birds, in particular, how the bird in the Lawndale incident may have actually been an accidental Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus from Africa having strayed into the middle U.S. I reject this argument as there is simply no correlation in terms of its description. Yet, it is worth noting, as it is believed that the Crowned Eagle may have a history of preying on humans, as well as how my own arguments on the movements of condors (forthcoming) similarly explain how the understanding of their movements, and their propensity for movement, has been underestimated. It is the Andean Condor, not the Crowned Eagle, which is capable of such extraordinary displacement for it to be found in the United States.
The film that served as inspiration to my study on the thunderbird stories (Monsterquest: Birdzilla) sought to offer explanations as to what type of raptor or bird would have been responsible for the attack on a child in Lawndale. Meteorologist Joe Sobel offered explanation for how weather patterns could have affected the movements of birds, in particular, how the bird in the Lawndale incident may have actually been an accidental Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus from Africa having strayed into the middle U.S. I reject this argument as there is simply no correlation in terms of its description. Yet, it is worth noting, as it is believed that the Crowned Eagle may have a history of preying on humans, as well as how my own arguments on the movements of condors (forthcoming) similarly explain how the understanding of their movements, and their propensity for movement, has been underestimated. It is the Andean Condor, not the Crowned Eagle, which is capable of such extraordinary displacement for it to be found in the United States.
Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus as illustrated by Claude Gibney Finch-Davies [C.G. Davies]
One author on this subject (Shuker, In Search of Prehistoric Survivors..) who questioned why birdwatchers in Illinois would not have similarly made reports of sightings like those which were described in the summer of 1977 offered an answer that I feel is partly inadequate: “I think that we need look no further than the Lowes’ experiences for an answer to this mystery. There is a universe of difference between the thrill of reporting a vagrant European warbler in Illinois or a Californian finch turning up in Missouri[,] and the stigma long associated with confessions of the cryptozoological kind.” There are no known records of Sylviidae warblers having been reported in Illinois (though there are records there for European birds representing other groups) nor are there any records of rare finches in Missouri having originated from California. The central problem has to do with how the claim is evidenced, and unfortunately, skeptics of claims of giant birds seen that year in Illinois have grounds for their arguments in these instances, as not one witness was able to even produce a photograph of what they claimed to have seen. There is also the problem with how witnesses describe what they see, as I believe was true in the Lawndale series, under the premise that their experience is of observing something unknown and incredibly removed from any human understanding.
One author on this subject (Shuker, In Search of Prehistoric Survivors..) who questioned why birdwatchers in Illinois would not have similarly made reports of sightings like those which were described in the summer of 1977 offered an answer that I feel is partly inadequate: “I think that we need look no further than the Lowes’ experiences for an answer to this mystery. There is a universe of difference between the thrill of reporting a vagrant European warbler in Illinois or a Californian finch turning up in Missouri[,] and the stigma long associated with confessions of the cryptozoological kind.” There are no known records of Sylviidae warblers having been reported in Illinois (though there are records there for European birds representing other groups) nor are there any records of rare finches in Missouri having originated from California. The central problem has to do with how the claim is evidenced, and unfortunately, skeptics of claims of giant birds seen that year in Illinois have grounds for their arguments in these instances, as not one witness was able to even produce a photograph of what they claimed to have seen. There is also the problem with how witnesses describe what they see, as I believe was true in the Lawndale series, under the premise that their experience is of observing something unknown and incredibly removed from any human understanding.
In spite of my criticism I will argue and draw attention to the fact that no author in an ornithological work relating to birds or birdwatching (excepting one title I quoted in UAC5) has even entertained the discussion of the spate of reports that were made in Illinois or anywhere else in the United States in recent times. Not a single reference to this series did I trace in American Birds, Volume 31 (1977). The reasons for this may not necessarily be elusive, if I will refrain from fully elaborating on them here, and I allude and insinuate the discussions and the varied receptions of alleged sightings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis as a reference and parallel.
In spite of my criticism I will argue and draw attention to the fact that no author in an ornithological work relating to birds or birdwatching (excepting one title I quoted in UAC5) has even entertained the discussion of the spate of reports that were made in Illinois or anywhere else in the United States in recent times. Not a single reference to this series did I trace in American Birds, Volume 31 (1977). The reasons for this may not necessarily be elusive, if I will refrain from fully elaborating on them here, and I allude and insinuate the discussions and the varied receptions of alleged sightings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis as a reference and parallel.
Engraving by J. C. Whichelo
To conclude, the above illustration is a plate from George Perry, Arcana… While this clearly depicts an immature male Andean Condor and is also an imaginative illustration as the condor cannot truly lift with its toes, it also belies the argument, which I support, that this is a species which is not to be removed from being capable of predation.
To conclude, the above illustration is a plate from George Perry, Arcana… While this clearly depicts an immature male Andean Condor and is also an imaginative illustration as the condor cannot truly lift with its toes, it also belies the argument, which I support, that this is a species which is not to be removed from being capable of predation.
“The Condor Vulture, the largest known at present[] is found only in South America, and has made its name terrible to the Natives by the attacks which it sometimes makes upon living animals, and in some cases even upon the human species. Some writers have confidently affirmed that it has been known to carry away Children where an opportunity has offered; and two of these birds have been seen to attack a full-grown heifer, and ultimately destroy it, by tearing it in pieces.”
Yet, as the above excerpt from Perry shows, the naturalists who have written on the subject are not any less removed from being capable of extreme exaggeration.
Yet, as the above excerpt from Perry shows, the naturalists who have written on the subject are not any less removed from being capable of extreme exaggeration.
Written August 30, 2016.
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