Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) by Ian

Thorns are mentioned many times throughout the Bible and in the Gospels it is presented in several applications:

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:44-45 KJV)

Again thorns were mentioned in a parable in reference to the receiving of the Word of God:

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:7-8 KJV)
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (Luk 8:14 KJV)

The next references to thorns has to do with the “crown of thorns” they plaited or twisted together of thorny branches. If you think they just placed that crown of those thorns gently on His head, you are mistaken. With as much mockery and hatred they were showing to Christ, they would have crammed that crown on his head, thus, driving those spiked thorns as deep as they could.

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:17-20 KJV)

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
(John 19:4-5 KJV)

Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) by Michael Woodruff

Today it is obvious that “thorns” are the theme of this blog. The last two days, the “Palm” Birds and the “Whip” Birds were written about and shown. When you see the “Thorn” Birds, maybe the “crown of thorns” will come to mind and you will praise the Lord for His death on the cross which paid for our salvation.

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:26-28 KJV)

There are three families that have birds with Thorn in their name. the Hummingbird family has either Thornbills or Thorntails. The Ovenbird family has actual Thornbirds and one Thorn-tailed Rayadito. One whole Genus of birds in the Australian Warbler family are called Thornbills. As you look at the bills of most of these birds observe how the shape resembles thorns. Their Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, not only designed their bill to assist in their eating and habitat, He knew that one day that “thorns” would be driven into His head.

Birds with “Thorn” in their name:

Hummingbird – Trochilidae Family

Black-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron dorsale)
Black-bellied Thorntail (Discosura langsdorffi)
Blue-mantled Thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi) – Video by Keith Blomerley
Bronze-tailed Thornbill (Chalcostigma heteropogon)
Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) by Michael Woodruff
Letitia’s Thorntail (Discosura letitiae)
Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum)
Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) – Video

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)
Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps)
Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii) –  Video by Keith Blomerley

Plain Thornbird (Phacellodomus inornatus) ©©

Ovenbird – Furnariidae Family

Chestnut-backed Thornbird (Phacellodomus dorsalis)
Freckle-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticollis)
Greater Thornbird (Phacellodomus ruber)
Little Thornbird (Phacellodomus sibilatrix)
Orange-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus ferrugineigula)
Orange-eyed Thornbird (Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus)
Plain Thornbird (Phacellodomus inornatus) ©©
Rufous-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus rufifrons)
Spot-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus maculipectus)
Streak-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticeps)
Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda)

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) by Ian

Acanthizidae – Australasian Warblers

Acanthiza Genus
Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis)
Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)
Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides)
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) by Ian
Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) by Ian
New Guinea Thornbill (Acanthiza murina)
Slaty-backed Thornbill (Acanthiza robustirostris)
Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei)
Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata)
Tasmanian Thornbill (Acanthiza ewingii)
Western Thornbill (Acanthiza inornata)
Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana) by Ian
Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)

See also:

Wordless Birds

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