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Black Bird of Chernobyl
Workers at Chernobyl reported seeing a large black creature with red eyes—before the disaster. Those who saw it had nightmares. Then the reactor exploded. Was the Black Bird a warning?
April 1986
Pripyat, Ukraine
10+ witnesses
The Black Bird of Chernobyl is an alleged creature reportedly sighted near the Chernobyl nuclear plant before the 1986 disaster.
The Legend
According to the story:
In April 1986:
- Workers at Chernobyl reported sightings
- A large, dark, winged creature
- With red, glowing eyes
- In the days before the disaster
- Those who saw it had nightmares
Description
The creature was described as:
- Large, winged humanoid
- Black in color
- Red or glowing eyes
- Similar to Mothman
- Appearing before disaster
The Connection
After the explosion:
- Some workers claimed to have seen it
- During the fire and evacuation
- Flying over the damaged reactor
- Then it was never seen again
Skeptical Analysis
Problems with the story:
- No contemporaneous reports exist
- The legend emerged later
- Likely inspired by Mothman
- May be post-hoc invention
- No credible witnesses identified
Comparison to Mothman
The similarities:
- Both appear before disasters
- Both are winged humanoids
- Both have glowing red eyes
- Both disappear after tragedy
- One may have inspired the other
Cultural Impact
The Black Bird has become:
- Part of Chernobyl mythology
- Featured in video games
- Referenced in documentaries
- A modern cryptid legend
Sources
- Various paranormal accounts