Author Archives: Lee

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Happy Mother’s Day!

I wonder if all the Bird Mother’s have a special Day? Thought I would see what photos from the past have mom’s and youngsters. Let’s See!!

Mom and baby Penquins ©Pinterest

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) Baby by WaltDaily©©

Snowy Egret Baby by Dan at Gatorland

Skimmer Baby Leaning against Parents Beak – ©Thomas C – NatlGeog – Pinterest

Mom and Baby at Lake Hollingsworth by Lee

Baby Geese by Dan

Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) with babies ©WikiC

Sandhill Cranes and Babies in yard by Lee

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) and Babies by Lee at Circle B

Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Babies by Lee at Circle B

Sandhill Crane "colts"

Sandhill Crane “colts” by Lee

Female Chipping Sparrow bird feeding three baby Chipping Sparrow nestlings, Athens, Clarke County, GA. by William Wise

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) at Nest 1 by Anthony747

Well, I think you get the idea. Mother’s can be very busy at times. Enjoy your day!

“HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,” which is the first commandment with promise:
(Ephesians 6:2 NKJV)

Previous Posts:

Avian Happy Mother’s Day

Sunday Inspiration – Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day– “Stay Close To Me” © The Hyssongs

Emberizidae Family Allies I ~ “Be Thou My Vision” ~ by Ladies and Girls Choir on Mother’s Day

Good News

What’s It’s Name? – “Coronata”

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Blue-crowned Manakin (Lepidothrix coronata) ©WikiC

“For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.” (Psalms 21:3 NKJV)

Coronata is our Scientific/Latin word today. When I saw this name for birds, without looking up the word, I thought it had to have something to with a coronation, a king, or maybe a crown.

Crested Treeswift (Hemiprocne coronata)

Crested treeswift (Hemiprocne  coronata) Male and Female Photographs by Shantanu Kuveskar – Wikipedia

Blue-capped Manakin (Lepidothrix coronata)

Blue-crowned Manakin (Lepidothrix coronata) ©WikiC

Wrenthrush (Zeledonia coronata)

Wrenthrush (Zeledonia coronata) – Anthony Batista (Wikipedia)

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler (Setophaga coronata) breeding ©WikiC

Russet-crowned Warbler (Myiothlypis cornata)

Russet-crowned Warbler (Myiothlypis cornata)

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) by Anthony747

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) by Anthony747

This Myrtle Warbler seems to have the “crown” a little misplaced. Just an observation :)

I trust you are enjoying the Avian Wonders from the Lord from their Scientific/Latin names. We are just beginning. There are so many varieties of words that I doubt we will ever discover/introduce all of them. Also, the naming of birds keep changing from time to time. See The I.O.C World Bird List 14.1

Previous articles that have mentioned some of the birds:

Wages Or A Gift?

What’s His Name? – “Varius”

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As we start the new series about the bird’s Scientific/Latin names, a verse came to mind about His name. Of course, that is referring to God, but I like the “What is His name” part. So, for now (unless some suggest a different one) that will be the name of these articles.

“Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?” (Proverbs 30:4 NKJV)

Varius means

If you go to Birds of the World – Species and the type the Scientific/Latin name, a list of those birds will show. “The specific epithet varius is the Latin word meaning “various”, “diverse” or “variegated” (Wikipedia)”. Here is the list of birds from “Birds of the World – with “varius“.

Green Junglefowl – Gallus varius
Common Hawk-Cuckoo – Hierococcyx varius
Painted Buttonquail – Turnix varius
Pied Cormorant – Phalacrocorax varius
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Sphyrapicus varius
Mulga Parrot – Psephotellus varius
Variegated Flycatcher – Empidonomus varius
Varied Tit – Sittiparus varius
Reunion Starling – Fregilupus varius
Green Junglefowl (Gallus varius) ©WikiC

Green Junglefowl (Gallus varius) ©WikiC

Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) by Nikhil

Painted Buttonquail (Turnix varius) by Ian

Painted Buttonquail (Turnix varius) by Ian

Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) by Ian

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) ©WikiC

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) ©WikiC

Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius) by Ian

Mulga Parrot (Psephotellus varius) by Ian

Variegated Flycatcher (Empidonomus varius) from Audubon

Varied Tit (Sittiparus varius) by Shanghai Birding

Reunion Starling – (Fregilupus varius) Planet of Birds

A short clip of a Painted Buttonquail

A few previous articles mentioning some of these birds:

Ian’s Irregular Bird – Painted Birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Chief Corner Stone’s Keystone

Siamese Fireback by Dan

Stay tuned as we investigate some more of these Scientic/Latin names.

Good News

The IOC World Bird List 14.1

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European Bee-eater @Francesco Pellegrini

European Bee-eater @Francesco Pellegrini

The IOC World Bird List 14.1 contains 11032 extant species (and 162 extinct species) classified in 44 Orders, 253 Families and 2,384 Genera.  The list also includes 19,802 subspecies, their ranges and authors.

SPECIES ADDED:                 39 extant species

SPECIES DELETED:               6 species

ENGLISH NAMES:                33 species

TAXONOMY:                         45 species (including 9 newly recognized or resurrected genera and 4 deleted genera)

Here is a listing, with of all the current Birds of the World which is better than any list we could produce here.

Birds of the World – List of Species with Pictures

Before we can dig into these Latin/scientific names of birds, it is best to update the number of birds now listed by the I.O.C. Our last update here, which is out of date, was the List 9.2:

At the time those articles were written there were 10,758 living species. Now it contains 11,032. That doesn’t include all the subspecies. Not sure how much we will update this site, but I will refer to the new names and subspecies as we investigate the scientific/Latin names of birds.

Sumatran Laughingthrush (Garrulax bicolor) by Dan at Wing of Asia ZM

Here is a listing, with of all the current Birds of the World which is better than any list we could produce here.

Birds of the World – List of Species with Pictures

The last few articles have been to lay the foundation for investigating some of these Scientific/Latin names for birds. Below are links to the experts in keeping track of the Avian Wonders:

Cornell Lab – Birds of the World

Cornell Birds of the World – Recently Updated Accounts

I.O.C.’s Latest List of Birds

I.O.C.’s Order of Birds

I.O.C.’s Family Index

Birds of the World Total List – Spreadsheet

This gives an example of how languages may be different BUT the truth is still a very important!

John 3:16 In Many Languages

More about Latin Names of Birds

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While researching for a way to present birds from their Latin names, I checked out some of our previous posts that mentioned the naming of birds. There have been quite a few articles about this, and here is a fantastic one that William Wise wrote:

This is My Name Forever

William said exactly what I was thinking “It’s all Greek to me!” He also explains about God’s Name. It NEVER changes.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) eating by Jim Fenton

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) eating by Jim Fenton

How Birds are Named explains the modern naming system that is used for birds.

“Birds have two kinds of names. One is a common, vernacular, or popular name; the other is a technical or scientific name. The first is usually given to the living bird by the people of the country it inhabits. The second is applied to specimens of birds by ornithologists who classify them.

Common names in their origin and use know no law. Technical names are bestowed under the system of nomenclature established by Linnæus and their formation and application are governed by certain definite, generally accepted rules. The Linnæan system, as it is now employed by most American ornithologists, provides that a bird, in addition to being grouped in a certain Class, Order, Family, etc., shall have a generic and specific name which, together, shall not be applied to any other animal.

Our Robin, therefore, is classified and named as follows:

CLASS AVES, Birds.

ORDER PASSERES, Perching Birds.

Suborder Oscines, Singing Perching Birds.

Family –Turdidæ Thrushes.

Subfamily Turdinæ Thrushes.

Genus, Turdus Thrushes.

Species, migratorius American Robin.”

The Genus and the Species names are the ones that will be emphasized in the new series, (name to be determined, any suggestions?). The recent articles and the list below are listed to acquaint you with how the Genus and Species are used in the bird names.

Stay tuned!

“I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.”
(Psalms 50:11 NKJV)

Previous:

 

Intro to Some Latin Names of Birds

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On my last post, Our Loggerhead Shrike Again, I emphasized the Latin name for this bird. “In case you’re curious, the Latin name Lanius is Great Grey Shrike. The ludovicianus means “butcher” and laniare – “to tear to pieces.” They have been referred to at times a “butcher birds” because of what they do to their victims.”

While recently browsing through my many “dusty” bird books, I rediscovered my “Latin for Bird Lovers,” by Roger Lederer Carol Burr.  It actually is quite interesting, even though I have never studied Latin or paid much attention to the scientific names of our beautiful birds we write about. We can all learn some new and interesting facts about these wonderful birds. Dr. Jim, (JJSJ) also agrees and is willing to adds some articles also. Maybe I can encourage some of our other contributors to join in.

As we all know, various birds migrate during parts of the year, and they do not have to carry passports or “flying licenses” to pass through different states or countries. Countries and even states have varying names for birds. Yet, we are all seeing the same avian wonder.

Latin for Bird Lovers by Roger Lederer & Carol Burr

Bird names also change over time, yet the Latin name or scientific name doesn’t (normally). I’ll be using this book, Latin for Bird Lovers by Roger Lederer & Carol Burr as one of the sources for some upcoming articles.

Here are some examples of how bird names have changed over the years. Imagine how hard it is today for the international groups like the I.O.C.’s World Bird List to report on the same bird’s names from various languages if it wasn’t for these Latin names.

Here are some examples of re-named birds (not from Latin) just here in our part of the world:

  • Common Loon — Great Northern Diver
  • Horned Grebe — Hell-diver
  • Double-crested Cormorant — Farallon Cormorant, White-tufted Cormorant, Shag
  • American Bittern — Bog Pumper, Dunk-a-doo, Indian Hen
  • Greater White-fronted Goose — Specklebelly

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) ©USFWS

  • Northern Pintail — Sprigtail
  • American Wigeon — Baldpate
  • Redhead — American Pochard
  • Ring-necked Duck — Blackhead
  • Scaups — Bluebill
  • White-winged Scoter — Velvet Scoter
  • Common Goldeneye — Cobhead, Whistler
  • Goldeneyes — Garrot
  • Bufflehead — Butterball, Spirit duck
  • Hooded Merganser — Cock Robin
  • Common Merganser — Goosander, American Sheldrake
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) at Wings of Asia by Dan

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) at Wings of Asia by Dan

  • Ruddy Duck — Sleepy Duck
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk — Little Blue Darter
  • Cooper’s Hawk — Big Blue Darter
  • Ferruginous Hawk — Rusty Squirrel Hawk
  • Merlin — Pigeon Hawk
  • Sage Grouse — Sage Cock
  • Sora — Ortolan
  • American Coot — Mudhen
  • Black-bellied Plover — Bullhead
  • Black-necked Stilt — Lawyer
  • Greater Yellowlegs — Tell-tale
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) by Robert Scanlon

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) by Robert Scanlon

  • Lesser Yellowlegs — Yellowshanks
  • Marbled Godwit — Marlin
  • Ruddy Turnstone — Calico-back
  • Red Knot — Robin Snipe
  • Least Sandpiper — Oxeye
  • Dunlin — Purre, Black-breast
  • Shortbilled Dowitcher — Brownback
  • Common Nighthawk — Bull-bat
  • Northern Flicker — Golden-winged Woodpecker, Yellowhammer
  • Pileated Woodpecker — Log-cock, Black woodcock
  • Bank Swallow — Sand Martin
  • Black-capped Chickadee — Long-tailed Chickadee, Yukon Chickadee, Western Titmouse
  • Mountain Chickadee — Bailey’s Chickadee
  • Boreal Chickadee — Brown-capped Chickadee
  • American Dipper — Water-ouzel
  • Mountain Bluebird — Arctic Bluebird
  • Townsend’s Solitaire — Townsend’s Ptilogonys
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) by Ian 3

Bohemian Waxwing by Ian

  • Bohemian Waxwing — Bohemian Chatterer
  • Cedar Waxwing — Cherry-bird
  • Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Shrike — Butcher-bird
  • Red-eyed Vireo — Greenlet
  • Orange-crowned Warbler — Lutescent Warbler
  • Yellow Warbler — Golden warbler, Mangrove Warbler
  • Spotted Towhee — Chewink, Ground Robin
  • Chipping Sparrow — Hairbird
  • Vesper Sparrow — Bay-winged Bunting
  • Dark-eyed Junco — Snowbird
  • Snow Bunting — Snowflake
  • Lark Bunting — White-shouldered Blackbird
  • Bobolink — Reedbird
  • Red-winged Blackbird — Bicolored blackbird, Red-and-buff-shouldered blackbird, Swamp Blackbird
  • Common Grackle — Bronzed Crow Blackbird
  • Brown-headed Cowbird — Cow Blackbird, Dwarf Cowbird
  • Common Raven — Holarctic Raven
  • Hoary Redpoll — Mealy Redpoll

Stay-tuned as I, and others present some of our amazing Avian Wonders from their Creator. We’ll group them by their Latin naming. Or, by the current Scientific names. One thing is for sure, when Adam named the birds, he did not use Latin to help him. He most likely had the best assistance from their Creator.

“So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field…” (Genesis 2:20 NKJV)

Good News

Our Loggerhead Shrike Again

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Loggerhead Shrike on Bench outside our back patio door.

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)

While eating our supper this evening, our friendly Loggerhead Shrike showed up again. He landed on his favorite perch, the hook out in the yard. (these are older photos, who keeps a camera at the table?)

Loggerhead Shrike on hook - by Lee Closeup

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) on hook – by Lee Closeup

He and the Mockingbird takes turns using that favorite spot to land and watch for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We see both of them quite often, especially this time of the year.

In case you’re curious, the Latin name Lanius is Great Grey Shrike. The ludovicianus means “butcher” and laniare – “to tear to pieces.” They have been referred to at times a “butcher birds” because of what they do to their victims.

We have featured quite a few articles about this beautiful bird, and here is one, written by JJSJ, “Dr. Jim”, that tells and shows the “butcher bird” at work:

Loggerhead Shrike: Converting Thorns into Meat-hooks

Thankfully, we haven’t found any of these kinds of catches hanging around in our yard!


Just thought I’d share our latest visitor to the yard. I’m sure he will migrate north soon, but hopefully we will see him in the fall again. I still never cease to be amazed by the Lord’s designs in His Creation!

Check out some of the many articles about this beautiful bird that we have written about before:

Sunday Inspiration – Shrikes and Vireos

Birds Vol 1 #6 – The Loggerhead Shrike

Laniidae – Shrikes

Just In Time For Halloween

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/6/21

Crown of Thorns

Also see:

Birds of the Bible – Whole Armour of God

State Birds of America – Information

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Northern Cardinal M-F (The most chosen state bird) ©BackyardBirdLover

We considered a series on the State Birds, but as I have searched more about this topic, there are already many great sites to visit. So, I’ve decided to share links to those great websites, and then find another bird series to investigate.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have official birds. To become a state bird, it helped to be familiar, colorful, and have a punchy song. The Northern Cardinal perches as state bird in seven eastern states, the Western Meadowlark in six western states. Bluebirds – like this Western Bluebird – and goldfinches are mascots of another seven. The country’s most insistent songster, the Northern Mockingbird, holds down five states. And Washington, DC’s official bird? The shy Wood Thrush! Find out which bird is your state bird.  Learn more about these state birds at Cornell’s All About Birds.

Oh, by the way, we are orginally from Indiana and the Northern Cardinal is their state bird.

“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:24 NKJV)

Stay tuned and enjoy these great articles:

List of State Birds – Love to Know

Wikipedia List of U.S. State Birds

Birds by State – Backyard Bird Watchers

To find out more about these birds, go to All About Birds to see great information and photos.

Also check our index for articles about a specific bird. We may have written about it in the past.

For instance, the Cardinal:

Sunday Inspiration – Cardinalidae Family of Cardinals Plus

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Joy in the Sharing

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Why Red?

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Northern Cardinal

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“A Cardinal Sits With Me” ~ by Sandra Conner

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Various Birds From Creation Moments

Good News

Wordless Birds

Just In Time For Halloween

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Loggerhead or Northern Shrike on Bench

While looking back through our visitors this winter, I remembered the one bird who would appear to be ready for today, Halloween. Not that we celebrate it much, other than giving out candy to the kiddos in the neighborhood.

When Dan and I spotted this bird the first winter, I thought it was a Loggerhead Shrike. They, sometime two of them, usually land on a post out in the yard, but this time I caught him right outside the door on the bench arm.

Loggerhead Shrike on hook - by Lee Closeup

Loggerhead or Northern Shrike on hook – by Lee Closeup

Today, while writing this post, and going to the All About Birds Loggerhead vs Northern Shrike page, I realized that this is a Northern and NOT my supposed Loggerhead. See what you think by clicking that link.

It’s never too late to learn something new. The part about the “mask that often does not cover the top of the bill,” is what made me take a double-take.

Close up of NORTHERN Shrike

As you can see, this was a post in progress as I put it together. Isn’t birding and learning about the Lord’s wonderfully created avian wonders great??? I’ve made my decision, and am changing the names on my photos. :0)

“Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.” (Job 9:10)

Have you had to change your mind about a bird you just knew what it was, and then it wasn’t? I JUST DID!!

  1. Loggerhead Shrike: Converting Thorns into Meat-hooks
  2. Birds Vol 1 #6 – The Loggerhead Shrike
  3. Sunday Inspiration – Shrikes and Vireos
  4. Wordless Birds

From The Window – Oct 30

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Back yard this morning – 10/30/23

Since we haven’t been “birdwatching” in months, that does mean that we don’t “bird watch.” Every morning the local ducks visit to see if they can quack us out of something for their bellies. Usually they win. We buy scratch grain that they seem to enjoy.

The photo above was taken right after I came in from filling their feeders. Later the other will drop in along with the winter Grackle gang that has arrive.

This photo is looking out across to where the Eagle, and lately it’s mate have perched off and on through the day.

I remember trapsing through the woods and everywhere trying to get a photo of an Eagle. Now, this time of the year, he lands there several times a day. Come spring they, along with the Whistling ducks will scurry home up north.

Here is a photo of them a few days ago. Never know what I might find. Stay Tuned!

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:21-24 NKJV)

Eagles

Good News

An Apology and a Great Thank You!!

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American Woodcock through door 12-3-19 by Lee

American Woodcock through door 12-3-19 by Lee

I would like to apologize for my lack of posting any articles since back in February of this year. (More explanation later.) What I am really thankful for is Dr. James J.S. Johnson, Dr. Jim, as Dan and I affectionately call him.

THANK YOU, DR. JIM!

Also a Hugh THANK YOU to all of you who have continued to stop by this blog. Many of you have read and commented of his articles and other previously published posts.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks feeding in yard.

Back in February, a number of health problems began, and it seemed like about the time I improved, some other issue came up. It seems that it has just been one thing after another. Needless to say between Doctor visits, physical therapy, medical test, using cane or walker, etc. etc., birdwatching has come to a halt other than my view out the back door.

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9)

That top photo about describes the lack of birds lately. Like many of you around the country and parts of the world, we have had some very high heat indexes. Plus, the wintering birds have not arrived yet.

Other than Muscovy Ducks and the neighborhood Robins and Doves, there hasn’t been much going on.

Lord willing, I trust that there will be more post from me. Now that I’m improving some, I will try to at least write more about God’s amazingly Created Avian Wonders. Stay tuned!

Thanks again to all our visitors to this blog and “Dr. Jim” for keeping us blessed by his great articles.

Good News

Birds of the Bible Articles

Check the many other links on the main page.

Birds of the Bible II – Raven Adventures

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Common Raven at Cypress Provincial Park, British Columbia ©WikiC

In the First Bird Species Named post, you found out that it was the Raven that was sent out first from the Ark. He never came back in, but may have landed on it now and then. The Raven family has a very resourceful way of finding and collecting food and objects.

Today there are several species in the Raven family (Covidae). Of course, not all of those species were on the Ark. They spread out and reproduced after their kind. “every raven after its kind,” (Lev 11:15)

Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus)Raven (Corvus corax) by Kent Nickell

Northern Raven (Corvus corax) by Kent Nickell

Compare the Common Raven and the Chihuahuan Raven

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) by Kent Nickell

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) by Kent Nickell

and compare the Common Raven and the American Crow.

All of these birds belong to the Covid family and Dr. Johnson posted a great article that covers this family.

Crows and Other Corvids are Really Smart Birds!

As was pointed out in that article, how the ravens came and fed Elijah. They brought him bread and flesh. (I Kings 17:6) But where do the Ravens get their food? (Job 38:41)

Much has been written about these interesting birds here over the years. Here are some of the links to help you find out more about the Ravens and their kind:

Birds of the Bible – Ravens

Other articles about the Raven:

Also check out articles by our various writers:

For younger readers:

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All Birds of the Bible section

Gideon