THUNDERBIRD DRUM AND BEATER The Thunderbird was the representative of Thunder Beings in the sky. He came from the west, the direction of danger, one of the four cardinal directions. The Thunderbird had the power to cause thunder by flapping his wings and lightening by blinking his eyes, which resulted in rain. Rain was a very important commodity to the Plains Indians because drought conditions often occurred, The Thunderbird Drum honors the Thunder Beings in the sky. It is decorated with string, imitation eagle feathers and wild turkey feathers. The drum is approximately 19" in diameter and 22" tall. The drum beater is approximately 27" long and made of a tree branch, string, porcupine claw and horsehair.