Winged humanoid sightings have perplexed people for generations, with cases reported from many regions and across different decades. Researchers have devoted years to collecting these accounts, noting both the diversity and similarities in eyewitness descriptions. Reports often describe large, human-like forms with impressive wingspans, frequently witnessed in unexpected places and sometimes under unusual circumstances.

Some individuals claim encounters in broad daylight, while others share stories of these entities chasing vehicles, interfering with electronics, or behaving in other baffling ways. There are even instances where witnesses link winged beings to UFOs or telepathic experiences, raising more questions about their origins and purpose.

Key Takeaways

Sightings of winged humanoids span across multiple decades and locations.
Eyewitness accounts often feature extraordinary and unexplained phenomena.
Connections to UFOs and telepathy suggest broader mysteries behind these encounters.

General Overview of Flying Humanoid Sightings

Early Accounts and Historic Observations

Reports describing human-like beings with wings extend back several centuries. Documented observations often involve individuals encountering large, sometimes towering, entities soaring or gliding through the air. Eyewitnesses frequently mention distinct characteristics such as wings attached to a humanoid body, sizes ranging from 6 to 9 feet in height, and unusual levels of muscle definition.

Several cases involve close-up encounters during routine activities—walking home, driving, or being outdoors—often under unusual weather or lighting conditions. Table 1 illustrates a few representative features from various historical sightings:

Decade Location Description Highlights 1960s Alton, Illinois Bat/gargoyle appearance, telepathy 1980s Silverstone, NC Bird-man hybrid, gave chase to car 1990s Sydney, Ohio Angelic, tall, white, muscular 2010s Ravina, Ohio Enormous, dark, elbow-like wings

Key Investigators in Flying Humanoid Research

Two major figures are frequently associated with the systematic study of winged humanoids: John Keel and Lon Strickler.

John Keel spent years gathering and analyzing cases of aerial humanoid encounters. He authored several books compiling these reports.
Lon Strickler, creator of the Phantoms and Monsters Blog, has documented hundreds of recent sightings, focusing particularly on the Chicago region. Reports arrive nearly every day, reinforcing the persistence of these phenomena.

Their meticulous compilation and publication of witness interviews and case studies provide the community with a foundation of evidence and trends for ongoing research.

Shared Traits and Trends in Winged Humanoid Reports

Winged entity sightings commonly feature these specific details:

Physical description: Entities are generally described as tall, muscular, and equipped with large wings (5–6 ft wingspan), sometimes resembling angels, birds, or gargoyles.
Movement: Witnesses often observe strong, deliberate wing flapping, and beings flying independently of the wind direction.
Encounter context: Sightings often occur during low visibility or stormy conditions, at dusk, or near bodies of water or forests.
Interaction with witnesses: Some entities appear to pursue or interact with witnesses directly—chasing vehicles, smacking into cars, or even forming telepathic links.
Possible connections to other unexplained phenomena: Occasional reports describe technology-related telepathy, memory gaps, physical effects like drained batteries, and apparent links with UFOs and other paranormal encounters.

List of Common Elements in Reports:

Humanoid form with functional wings
Unexplained physical and technological phenomena
Persistent reports across decades and geographies
Witness trauma, confusion, and memory lapses
Occasional overlapping experiences with shadowy or supernatural figures

These consistent themes have attracted ongoing interest from researchers, helping to map out an evolving picture of winged humanoid phenomena.

Distinctive Firsthand Reports

1990 Ohio Emergency Responder Observation

A firefighter and paramedic in Sydney, Ohio, described a remarkable encounter with a winged entity one afternoon in July 1990. After a severe thunderstorm, he noticed a large, bright white figure moving across the sky—initially resembling a piece of paper or a sheet, but quickly revealing itself to be something much stranger.

Height: Estimated at 8–9 feet
Wingspan: Approximately 5–6 feet (center to tip)
Appearance: Human-like, muscular, all white, with two arms, two legs, and large wings
Direction: Flew from east to west, contrary to wind direction
Duration: Approximately 45 seconds

He compared the sight to seeing an angel due to the shape and motion. Although he could not make out fine details, the figure left a lasting impression.

2018 Ravena Dusk Creature Report

In November 2018, a woman and her fiancé experienced an unusual sighting while stopped at a red light in Ravena, Ohio. They observed a sizable flying creature gliding over a hospital building.

Time: 5:45 p.m.
Size: Estimated at 2–3 times bigger than their vehicle
Wings: Elbow-shaped and notably large
Color: Darker than the evening sky
Duration: About 10 seconds

Both witnesses confirmed the extraordinary size and wing structure of the creature. The brief encounter was shared through cryptozoological sources.

1986 Silverstone Winged Pursuit

Bet Dodson recounted her 1986 encounter near Silverstone, North Carolina, while driving to her sister’s house. At a stop sign, she observed a dark humanoid figure with wings running beside a barn, illuminated by her headlights.

Description: Approximately 6–7 feet tall, human-bird hybrid appearance, wearing what looked like combat boots
Incident: The creature chased her car for several miles, keeping pace at 45–50 mph
Behavior: Struck the vehicle, clung to the driver’s side, and appeared intent on getting inside
Vehicle Impact: Electrical malfunction—headlights dimmed, engine sputtered

Dodson experienced a gap in memory during and after the event, with the drive taking hours longer than usual. She later realized other unusual events had occurred throughout her life, including sightings of shadowy, bird-faced figures and inexplicable lights.

Remarkable Encounter Examples

Ongoing Unusual Events Experienced by B. Dodson

B. Dodson described several unusual incidents starting in her late teens. At age eighteen, while driving at night in North Carolina, she saw a large, dark, winged figure with features combining elements of a bird and a human. As she attempted to leave the area, the figure pursued her car, staying close even as she increased speed to 45–50 mph.

Key Details:
- The creature was estimated at 6–7 feet in height with large wings.
- Behavior: It physically struck the vehicle and maintained pace on a winding, rural road.
- Memory Loss: Dodson experienced memory gaps; after the incident, she realized several hours of time were unaccounted for.

In earlier years, Dodson also saw a shadowy figure with a "bird face" in her home and reported an episode where her room was suddenly filled with a blinding light. She linked these multiple events, speculating about connections between them.

Year Incident Description Notable Details Early 1980s Shadow figure with bird-like features Appeared inside the home 1981 Intense light and craft observed Room flooded with light, saw a cigar-shaped object, felt paralyzed 1986 Chased by winged entity in vehicle Car was physically struck, memory loss followed

Sightings of Intense Lights and Unknown Aircraft

Encounters with unidentified objects and mysterious lights were also described. In one instance, a witness recounted waking up at 2 a.m. to find the room illuminated by a powerful light. Upon checking outside, she observed a cigar-shaped craft emitting dual beams.

Aftereffects: She noticed symptoms such as abnormal fatigue, shock, and an elevated body temperature.
Physical Reaction: The powerful illumination and the sight of the object caused temporary paralysis.

Several witnesses shared reports of seeing large flying beings in daylight and twilight conditions. Details included enormous wings, odd limb configurations, and an ability to move counter to the wind.

List of Common Features:

Sudden, overwhelming lights or beams.
Craft or objects with no clear explanation.
Associated physical responses (paralysis, disorientation).

Vehicle Malfunctions During Entity Sightings

Multiple witnesses have noted that electrical malfunctions in cars coincided with encounters involving winged creatures or unidentified craft.

Example: During an encounter with a large winged figure, B. Dodson’s car experienced a sudden power drain:
- The engine sputtered, lights dimmed, and the battery appeared to lose power.
- These issues arose precisely as the entity approached and struck the vehicle.

This pattern has been acknowledged by some researchers as a recurring element in similar cases, including those typically associated with unexplained aerial phenomena.

Summary Table: Car Issues Linked to Sightings

Incident Instance Reported Car Problem Dodson's winged figure encounter Engine sputtering, lights dimming, battery drained Various regional sightings Sudden vehicle stalling or electrical failure

These cases collectively highlight a pattern where close encounters with extraordinary entities are frequently accompanied by unexplained technological disruptions.

Possible Associations with UFO Sightings and Telepathic Experiences

Sightings of Flying Humanoids Linked to Unidentified Aerial Objects

Some documented cases suggest a connection between winged humanoids and UFO encounters. For example:

In certain instances, witnesses have observed these beings either leaving or entering an unidentified aerial craft.
Table: Sightings Context
Year Location Notable Detail 1981 Near mountains (unspecified) Bright craft with twin beams, humanoid seen in same period Undated Multiple locations Humanoids seen entering or exiting UFOs

This overlap between sightings of flying humanoids and UFO phenomena raises questions about a possible relationship between the two.

Mary Leadbetter’s Memory and Childhood Encounter

Mary Leadbetter recounted an incident from her childhood in Alton, Illinois, which remained hidden from her memory for decades. As a child, she described being approached by a bat-like, gargoyle entity with large wings while trailing behind friends in the woods.

During the encounter, she felt physically immobilized and experienced what she believed to be a mental link with the entity. Upon later reflection—triggered by a separate UFO sighting as an adult—Mary realized the winged being seemed to search her mind for information about technology, and she, in turn, briefly accessed its thoughts.

Key Details:
- Encountered winged being alone as a child
- Entity established a telepathic connection
- Memory of the event surfaced decades later, coinciding with UFO sighting

Descriptions of Telepathic Communication from Witnesses

Accounts from various witnesses point to possible mental communication with these winged beings.

Mary Leadbetter indicated a simultaneous exchange of thoughts, suggesting a two-way telepathic connection.
In others’ reports, witnesses described feeling as though the entity was trying to access their minds, or influence awareness, during the encounter.

These recurrent themes point toward the potential for telepathic abilities or forms of nonverbal communication in the context of winged humanoid sightings.

Summary List: Noted Telepathic Elements in Cases

Sudden mental images or thoughts during encounters
A sense of shared consciousness or mind-reading
Post-incident memory loss or altered perception of time

Implications and Unanswered Questions

These reports of winged humanoid encounters highlight several notable implications and unanswered issues:

Potential Links to UFO Phenomena: Some encounters involve not only sightings of winged humanoids but also unusual lights, electrical malfunctions, or even direct association with unidentified flying objects. This suggests a possible connection between these entities and other unexplained aerial phenomena.
Memory Gaps and Psychological Effects: Many witnesses report memory lapses, missing time, and intense emotional responses such as fear or shock. This pattern raises questions about the psychological or even physiological impact of these encounters on those involved.
Physical Descriptions and Behaviors: Witnesses consistently describe beings that blend human and avian characteristics, often with notable details like a muscular build, large wings, or even accessories such as boots. The consistency and variety in their descriptions add complexity to the phenomenon.
Cases Involving Telepathy and Mind-Reading: At least one account includes claims of telepathic communication, where the being seemed capable of reading and sharing thoughts. This hints at abilities beyond what is commonly attributed to physical creatures.
Frequency and Geographic Spread: The steady stream of reports, especially from specific regions like Chicago, indicates that these sightings are ongoing and not isolated incidents.

Key Issue Observations Electric/vehicle failure Cars reportedly stall or malfunction during close encounters Memory loss Witnesses sometimes lose time or forget parts of the encounter Creature behavior Actions include chasing vehicles, making physical contact, or observing humans closely Telepathy reported In select cases, witnesses claim communication without speaking

Further research is needed to determine whether these beings are physical, psychological, or something entirely different. The true nature, origin, and intent of winged humanoid entities remain unresolved.

Winged Humanoid Sightings: Cryptid Encounters That Defy Explanation