Inspired by the conversation between @peterjrios, Shane, & Pants (go listen): I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about John's bird construct in LANTERNS episode two. There are two options (specifically from comics continuity) that could explain why the bird is so impressive to Hal as well as the aliens that captured John. 1) It is a "permanent construct". Permanent constructs are nothing new in GL lore. But historically speaking, they require great aptitude, a LOT of power from the ring, and intense concentration to pull off. A good example of one comes from Green Lantern #81 after Hal Jordan dies during 'Final Night'. It's not explicitly stated in the issue, but the statue of Hal that Kyle Rayner creates in memoriam of Hal is a "permanent construct" (image one). I keep putting it in quotes because it's only "permanent" so long as the Green Lantern who created it wills it so. Do they have to actively think about it? No. But if Kyle walked up to that statue and willed it so, he could dissipate the construct (in the same way John dissipated the bird by choice). 2) It's because John is an "ascended being". This concept starts back with 'Green Lantern: Mosaic'. In 'Mosaic' John becomes the GL of a hodgepodge world consisting of cities taken from all over the Universe and plopped down into a "mosaic" on the surface of another world. John has to keep the peace (there's more to it than just that but that's the gist). In this story, specifically with 'Green Lantern: Mosaic #18', we come to find out that John has become an equal to the Guardians. So much so they refer to him as "brother". As you can see below (image two), the Guardians refer to knowing based on their "Maltusian prophecies" (that's the Book of Oa...long story. This post is already too long) that John would ascend to become one of them. This story was forgotten after the events of 'Emerald Twlight' (Hal goes nuts and takes all of the GL power for himself after Coast City is decimated) but it was recently-ish picked up by Geoffrey Thorne who circled back and had John resume his "godhood" by becoming an ascended being (image three). This is later continued by Phillip Kennedy Johnson in 'Green Lantern: War Journal' where PKJ continues the story of John. In issue one, John beats the crap out of some snot nosed GL who came to take his "ring" but as you can see (image four) John says he no longer even needs one...while actively wielding constructs in the fight. He even later creates a living version of his deceased sister with his power (but again, that's another story). Personally? I think they're going the route of ascended being, but that's only because of the clip from episode three that was shared today online featuring Johns parents talking to young John about one day becoming a GL. It seems to be leaning that way. But I hope you enjoyed my Green Lantern themed TED talk. Lemme know if you have any questions!