In general terms yes, but the word "thing" is usually used for inanimate objects and when used on an animate one would convey a meaning of disparagement.
A bird is a creature with wings and can fly.NOTE(Chickens are birds)
A rather mysterious creature I must note.
bird
bird
Bird
It is a bird.
Bird
The "creature" on Papua New Guinea's flag is a bird, called the Bird of Paradise.The Raggiana Bird of Paradise
It is a kind of sea bird.
It wasn't a mythological creature, it was just a normal peacock
its a type of bird
A marine diving bird.