Blue Jay II at Bok Tower by Dan’s Pix
How Did Birds Get To Be So Smart: Are They “Feathered Apes”?
This is one of the latest articles from Answers in Genesis:
News to Know
by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell
July 27, 2013
*
“The Term Bird Brain Is Evolving
Some birds—crows, parrots, and jays—possess problem-solving skills that rival those of mammals. Crows demonstrate impressive memory for details, even remembering for years the faces of people who annoy them. Does this represent true cognitive ability? Some birds can improvise tools—by bending a piece of wire, for instance—to get the food they want. Are they actually reasoning or just associating each step with coming closer to the goal? Are birds able to get a picture in their minds of what they want to accomplish and then reason out the steps, or are simpler stepwise “associative learning” processes involved?” … that is the beginning of the article.
Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) Foot front at Riverbanks Zoo SC by Lee
The ostrich leaves her eggs on the ground and warms them in the dust, Forgetting that a foot may crush them or that the wild beast may trample them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers; her labor is in vain because she has no sense of danger [for her unborn brood], For God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has He imparted to her understanding. (Job 39:14-17 AMP)
Here is one more excerpt from the ending of the article which is very interesting and worth reading:
A Better Explanation
God provides in His Word the historical account of the origin of birds, man, and all things. Furthermore, the Bible informs us that God is the one who supplies or deprives an animal of its intelligence. In particular, God takes the credit for the lack of bird-smarts in the ostrich, telling Job, “God deprived her of wisdom, and did not endow her with understanding” (Job 39:17). God also points out that He is the source of wisdom for the hawk and eagle (Job 39:26–27). Learning what makes a bird tick offers a fascinating bit of insight into the creatures our Creator designed and how their brains work.
See the whole artice – CLICK HERE.
*
*
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
Reminds me of how smart the “bird brains” are, that belong to dark-eyed juncos, English sparrows, and mallard ducks — see https://leesbird.com/2013/03/07/48484/ .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dr. Jim. Both articles were quite brainy. :)
LikeLike
The Lord’s ways are perfect and it’s up to us to try to figure out His reasoning, if possible, why a bird does this or that. :)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV)
LikeLike
On the surface, it’s pretty hard for a “thinking” person to believe in and/or trust a God who would create something as seemingly useless and foolish as this creature. And I have to admit that it’s these kinds of things that stir up any doubts that may live in the deepest recesses of my not-yet-perfected soul. But then I consider that the root of our problem is that we don’t know enough yet. My experience has always been that when something God created seems not-quite-right, it’s because we don’t have the whole picture and don’t know all the facts. When I go searching for those “unknown” facts, I usually always find that God really did have an excellent reason and an excellent plan concerning every single part of creation. Thank goodness! I’d hate to think I was an aberration of His imagination!!!
Sites like yours are extremely helpful in those searches for “unknown” facts.
Thanks Lee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ostriches are in for some harsh treatment in Job 39:13-18. In a chapter that praises the freedom of the wild ass, the strength of the bull, the fearlessness and strength of the war-horse, the eyesight and flight of the eagle, we see the ostrich laying her eggs out in the open soil. She is unconcerned that passing beasts will trod on them. She hopes the sun is warm enough to sustain and nurture them. “She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her understanding.” The best that can be said about the ostrich in this passage is that they have wings and feathers to which I ask, “Why?” They can’t fly! Lamentations 4:3 equates the ostrich to a breast feeding sea monster! How weird is that? So- we have a strange looking, eight foot tall, three hundred pound bird who can’t fly but who can outrun a horse and kick a pursuer to death. It’s eye is bigger that it’s brain, it makes great feather dusters and lives in a commune and hates its kids. God is humorous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting observation. :)
LikeLike