Majestic and wild, noble and intimidating, awe inspiring and fear inducing, the titanic creatures that are known as the Thunderbirds are practically physical embodiments of raw power. These massive living legends have soared the skies since the birth of man, protecting the innocent and punishing the wicked. They were created by the gods for the purpose of protecting man from the evils of the world, be it from the monsters that prey upon them or man's own wickedness. Thunderbirds are quite colossal beings, a fully grown thunderbird becoming so mind bogglingly large that they are able to hunt and feed upon whales similar to how their much smaller cousins do on normal fish. Much like normal birds Thunderbirds' feathers can come in a large aray of colors, from midnight blacks to snowy whites, but regardless of their feathers original coloration when a Thunderbird calls upon their storm producing abilities their plumage takes on electric blue hues.
Thunderbirds have rather short lives in the grand scheme of supernatural creatures, the average age of death being 120 years old, as such they tend to try and make as much of their lives as possible. Thunderbird culture is rather nomadic, one would be hard pressed to find any Thunderbird that would willingly want to stay in one place for a long time. The creatures don't set up large communities, normally only family units of the species is the largest one would see. Unlike a lot of species Thunderbirds don't hold bloodlines in high regards, to them linage means nothing it is the actions one takes that define them. Once a year the majority of the species, namely the elders, meet to reconnect with old friends as well as ensure the next generation of Thunderbirds is coming along.
Thunderbirds are able to reproduce with almost any other species, but the offspring of these union will always be a Thunderbird. Thunderbirds usually pick their mates based upon the need create another generation of strong and capable guardians, so qualities of both physical and intestinal fortitude are normally sought after.
Just as one would inspect from their namesake Thunderbirds are linked with storms, their massive bodies altering the weather when they take flight. They are able to produce thunderous claps with the flap of their wings, hurl lightning from their eyes, create hurricane like winds with their voices, and bring rain down from the sky. They are also incredibly durable, it taking quite the amount of force in order to break their hide, as well as mind-bogglingly strong given their massive size. The electrifying species also has the ability to take on a human form at will. While in their human state Thunderbirds lose their natural ability to fly and their titanic strength is reduced; though they can still easily out muscle most foes, take a blow that would kill others, as well as still take command of the weather around them.
Though bred to be protectors Thunderbirds are not indestructible. They can be out matched by stronger opponents if they exist, age will eventually come for them, they must eat sleep and breath just like any other living creature, their natural need to protect the innocent can be used to manipulate them. One of their major down falls are their inability to swim while in their avian form, many a Thunderbird have met a watery grave do to this flaw.