Mothman

West Virginia

Flying Cryptid / Avian

A winged, glowing-eyed humanoid whose apocalyptic legend was heavily embellished by authors following initial sightings of out-of-migration avians.

Etymology

Given the pop-culture moniker 'Mothman' by the press, despite the original sightings exclusively describing a 'bird-like' creature.

Anatomy

Reported as a slender, muscular, seven-foot-tall biped with ten-foot white wings and large, hypnotically glowing red eyes.

Ecology

Originally sighted around an abandoned World War II munitions plant known as the 'TNT area' in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Behavior

It is capable of chasing vehicles at high speeds while emitting a screeching sound. The 'glowing red eyes' are scientifically attributed to eyeshine reflecting off flashlights, a trait common in nocturnal animals like owls.

Mythology

Sighted between 1966 and 1967, the creature was later tied to UFOs and the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge by author John Keel. Wildlife biologists consistently attribute the sightings to misidentified sandhill cranes or large owls.