Thunderbirds are rather large beings with a head that resembles that of an Eagle or Hippogriff they have three sets of wings one residing on the body of the bird and the two others residing on the long tail which splits roughly halfway down. Their feathers shimmer with cloud-like patterns.   The Thunderbird is known to change colors as it summons storms, its iridescent feathers shifting from various shades of gold to electrifying blue, to grey and silver, to white, and even to deep navy.

Thunderbirds lay one or two eggs each clutch which may happen every five to ten years. They will sit on their eggs for a considerable amount of time, nearly three months. The eggs are around eighteen inches tall, causing them to have some of the largest offspring of any other avian creature. Both the male and female take turns sitting on the eggs.  If they have more than one it is likely that one or more will not hatch.

When a baby Thunderbird, or Poult, hatches, it is already covered in the majority of its flight feathers. This is in part due to its longer development time in the egg. However, while the Poults come out with nearly all their feathers, they can’t fly until they are at least six months old. Some Poults take longer, as Poults born in the summer months endure the warm summers which often slows their development. This occurs because in the heat all the Poults want to do is drink water. They have no interest in eating, which sets them back developmentally.   Once they can fly on their own, they have no interest in staying with parents. They can fend for themselves, catching small rodents and eventually working up to large game. They become loners, traveling the plains, until they reach sexual maturity at about ten years of age. After that, they will begin to search for a mate.

Thunderbirds prefer mountains to roost in and wide, open, and arid plains.

Thunderbirds are obligate carnivores most often eating mountain lions and deer most commonly. They only really need to eat once a day or so due to the fact that they typically use the wind currents to stay aloft making them require a lot less energy. However in the months and/or year up to mating and having a clutch of eggs they will often eat a lot more to build resources to handle caring for the Poults.

Thunderbirds are highly territorial and typically only share their territory with their bonded mates.

If gifted feathers some wizards are able to make wands with feathers as the core which helps to enhance warning spells and or storm based spells depending on what is made to do.

Thunderbirds are highly intelligent and can bond with humanoids should they have either been raised by the humanoid or should the humanoid prove themselves trust worthy and safe.

Calling storms Sensing Danger