United States
In both Iroquois and Wyandot traditions, Flying Heads are ravenous spirits cursed with an insatiable hunger. The physical appearance varies depending on the storyteller, but commonly resembles a human head with long dark hair, “terrible eyes”, and a large mouth full of razor sharp fangs. Some versions feature the Flying Head with a pair of bat or bird wings protruding from each side of its cheek and bird-like talons. They’re consistently described as being larger than the tallest man, with skin that no weapon can penetrate.
One story tells of a woman who tricked the creature when it came to attack her village. When it arrived at her door, she pretended not to notice. Sitting by the fire, she heated rocks until they were glowing red and then, pretended to eat them. Assuming she was eating roasted acorns, the Flying Head entered her home to steal her food, but ended up with a mouthful of flaming hot stones. Screaming in agony, it tore off into the night, never to return to her village. Another version says that the Flying Head, seeing her “eat” the blazing hot stones, fled in awe and terror at such a powerful woman.