Fantastic Beasts: 28 Easter Eggs & References You Must See

Frank the Thunderbird probably has nothing to do with puppet-based kids sci-fi show of the same name, but the creature does have a place in cryptozoological lore.

Thunderbirds are mythological creatures with lizard like features (hence Frank's raptor-eagle blend look), whose apparent real-world first sighting was in Arizona. Hence Newt's attempt to return Frank "home". His look is also purposefully based somewhat on Fawkes' appearance in the Harry Potter films.

Incidentally, the Thunderbird is not included in the Fantastic Beasts book, so presumably Scamander decided to keep it secret to try and preserve the species... Or, you know, it's just a prequel changing canon again.