Thunderbird is a giant, supernatural bird, named for his habit of causing thunder
and lighting. Beneath his wings he carries Lightning Snakes, which are his
weapons. Thunder rolls from the flap of his wings, and lightning flashes when
he blinks his great eyes or throws the Lightning Snakes. He is large and strong
enough to hunt Killer Whale, which he strikes dead with the wolf-headed,
serpent-tongued Lightning Snakes. Thunderbird carries his prey high into the
mountains to feed. From his home in these great heights, Thunderbird rules
majestically, keeping a close watch over his dominion.

Thunderbird is intelligent and proud, and humans who attempt to outwit Thunderbird
are certain to have their intentions backfire. In Nuu-chah-nulth stories, Thunderbird
is a giant mountain-dwelling man who dons a bird-like costume when he ventures
out to hunt whales. His Lightning Snakes are feathered serpents; people refer to
them as Thunderbird's dogs, and their heads are portrayed as dogs or wolves.

Some Coast Salish myths say that Thunderbird's favorite perch is Black Tusk, a
monolithic peak in southern British Columbia. The Quileute people of Washington
state, on the other hand, identify the Blue Glacier of Mount Olympus as Thunderbird's
favorite haunt and primary residence.

Thunderbird is very important to the Kwakwaka'wakw, who in legendary times
made a deal with the powerful bird: in exchange for Thunderbird's aid during a
crisis, the Kwakwaka'wakw agreed to honor him for all time by making
his image prominent in their art. Thus, a number of their totem poles feature
Thunderbird perched at the top with his great wings outstretched.

Thunderbird exhibits a powerful hooked beak; prominent, often curly, ears (otherwise
known as horns or head appendages, and always symbolic of supernatural power);
large legs and talons; and large, outstretched wings. Artists frequently give
Thunderbird a beak that is longer than that of Eagle. Thunderbird is often depicted
with Killer Whale, who may appear captured in his talons. Pairs of Lightning Snakes
may accompany the Nuu-chah-nulth Thunderbird; often these harpoon-like, long-
tongued serpents are located underneath the outstretched wings of the great bird.