The Broad-billed Prion – The well oiled night mates.. ~ by a j mithra

The Broad-billed Prion (Pachyptila vittata) is a small seabird, but the largest Prion, with grey upperparts plumage, and white underparts. This species is found throughout oceans and coastal areas in the Southern Hemisphere.

Photo of Broad-billed Prion at the World Bird Guide

Photo from famkefonae (Shows the broad bill up close)

Another great photo up close – IBC

Its colonies can be found on Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha, South Island, Chatham Islands, on the sub-antarctic Antipodes Islands, and other islands off the coast of New Zealand and south of New Zealand’s south island. Adults are thought to remain in waters adjacent to colonies; however young birds occur north of the colonies to Australia and South Africa…

It has many other names that have been used such as Blue-billed Dove-petrel, Broad-billed Dove-petrel, Long-billed Prion, Common Prion, Icebird, and Whalebird. The Broad-billed Prion is a member of the Pachyptila genus, and along with five more Prions. They in turn are members of the Procellariidae family, and the Procellariiformes order.

The prions are small and typically eat just zooplankton; however as a member of the Procellariiformes, they share certain identifying features:

First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called naricorns. Although the nostrils on the Prion are on top of the upper bill. bills of Procellariiformes are also unique in that they are split into between 7 and 9 horny plates. It has a broad flat bill with comb-like fringes called lamellae. These birds have 7 and 9 horny plates..

• In Hebrew, seven is shevah. It is from the root savah, to be full or satisfied, have enough of.
• Hence the meaning of the word “seven” is dominated by this root, for on the seventh day God rested from the work of Creation.
• It was full and complete, and good and perfect. Nothing could be added to it or taken from it without marring it.

Hence the word Shavath, to cease, desist, rest, and Shabbath, Sabbath, or day of rest. God expects perfect words from our mouth, words of faith and healing, words which would give hope and rest to people around us..

How do we use our mouth?

A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:20,21)

The solemn amhn (ameen), amen, or “verily,” of our Lord,amounts also to 99, summing up and ending His words. The sum of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is 4995 (5×999). It is stamped, therefore, with the numbers of grace and finality.

• God not only expects perfect words from our mouth, but also words of grace..
• Number nine not only denotes summing up and ending His words Amen, but also the gifts and fruit of the Holy spirit.
• Physicist say that the most powerful energy is Grace, whose energy is calculated as infinite…

Do we have words of perfect grace in our mouth…

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of ⁽miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

This is a large prion measuring 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 12 in) long, with a wingspan of 57 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in) and weighing on average 160 to 235 g. They produce a stomach oil made up of wax esters and triglycerides that is stored in the proventriculus. This is used against predators as well as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights.

• The oil which these birds produce reminds us of how we need to have oil when the bridegroom arrives, like the wise virgins..
• The Bridegroom is on His way and these birds remind us to be prepared to meet Him..

Are we really ready?

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Mathew 25:13)

Finally, they also have a salt gland that is situated above the nasal passage and helps desalinate their bodies, due to the high amount of ocean water that they imbibe. It excretes a high saline solution from their nose.

• God calls us as the salt of the earth..
• As salt which gives taste and as salt which preserves..

It is time for us to switch on the search light and check if we our life is really the salt of the earth…

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Mathew 5:13)

They are gregarious, and they eat crustaceans (copepods, squid, and fish. They utilize a technique called hydroplaning, which is where the bird flies with its bill in the water and it skims water in, and then filters the food. They also surface-seize.

Breeding begins on the coastal slopes, lava fields, or cliffs of the breeding islands in July or August, as they lay their single egg in a burrow type nest. Both parents avian incubation |incubate] the egg for 50 days, and then spend another 50 days raising the chick.

Prion Chick by UCScienceOutreach

The main predators are skuas, although on some islands, cats and rats have reduced this prion’s numbers drastically. Colonies disperse from December onwards, although some adults remain in the vicinity of the breeding islands and may visit their burrows in winter..

They are a social bird; however their courtship displays happen at night or in their burrows. When they need to defend their nest they are very aggressive with calling, posturing, and neck-biting.

• God wants us to have an encounter with Him at night and that is the reason
• He asks us to watch and pray..

Jesus Himself set an example of how we need to watch and pray..

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak. (Mathew 26:41)

Even before He was arrested, He was praying. Which means, we need to pray before every important event…?

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:39-46)

The greatest event of all times, the return of the King of kings is yet to occur and the whole world is waiting for that, but, do we watch and pray before this important event or are we sleeping like the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane?

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA, a j mithra

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(Various internet resources including Wikipedia)

Lee’s Addition: (a j gave me a challenge on this one trying to find photos that we have permission to use.)

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