Witness Reports More Recent Sighting of Winged Humanoid in Rockford from 2017

Lon Strickler of Phantoms and Monsters spoke to a witness recently who recounted an encounter she had in the late summer of 2017 with a winged, ‘human-like’ being in Rockford, Illinois.

"The eyewitness 'KJ' stated it was approximately 6 a.m. and that she was on the outside porch," Strickler said. "All of a sudden she observed a human-like being walking in the yard of a house on the corner of Bruce St. and Woodlawn Ave. in Rockford, IL. (about 1 block away). The being suddenly produced a large set of wings and took flight, gliding over the back gate of the property. It then disappeared into the trees and foliage on the next block."

"There was enough morning light available for an excellent observation," he added.

"She had trouble comprehending what she had seen, and immediately went back inside the house to tell her boyfriend and his mother what she had seen," Strickler continued. "She described the being as tall and dark, almost black. The wingspan was very broad."

The witness, like many others, was apprehensive about coming forward, but was less reluctant after hearing of other sightings in the area.

"[The witness] was apprehensive on coming forward, until she was told about the other reports in the Rockford area by a family member," Strickler said. "She had no knowledge of the Chicago sightings.”

This sighting has more in common with the two winged humanoid sightings from the Rockford area that occurred in 2010 than it does the recently reported sighting from 2004.

Both of the 2010 sightings involve the creature moving along the ground prior to taking flight, while the entirety of the 2004 sighting took place with the being in flight. And none of the Rockford witnesses so far other than the one from the 2004 sighting have reported hearing any associated noise.

Rockford is about 75 miles northwest of Chicago’s downtown and 60 miles west of Lake Michigan. Mukwonago, Wisconsin, where a similar creature was seen in 2017, is around 60 miles northeast of Rockford.

This is the latest in a string of flying creature sightings around Lake Michigan that ostensibly began in the spring of 2017, but more historical accounts are being reported as more people become aware of the phenomenon.  Most of the sightings have taken place near the lakefront in Chicago within a few miles of Lake Michigan, although there are some reports coming from the suburbs surrounding Chicago and even farther afield in every state bordering the great lake.  The sightings generally take place in the evening or at night, often in or near a park, and around water.  Witnesses consistently describe a large, bat or bird-like creature—although in a small number of cases the creature was described as insect-like—sometimes with glowing or reflective red, yellow, or orange eyes; and humanoid features such as arms and legs are often reported.  Many of the sightings are also of something seen only briefly or are described only as a flying creature with few details, which leaves open the possibility that a large bird or bird-like being could explain some encounters. 

To report a sighting, reach out to us directly at The Singular Fortean Society through our contact page.

You can view a timeline of the sightings so far here, and an interactive map here.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to support the Singular Fortean Society, please consider becoming an official member by signing up through our Patreon page—membership includes a ton of extra content and behind-the-scenes access to the Society’s inner workings.