Bird of the World – Firewood-gatherer

March 11, 2013 by Lee

Firewood-gatherer (Anumbius annumbi) ©WikiC

The Firewood-gatherer (Anumbius annumbi) is a species of bird in the Furnariidae family. It is the only member of the genus Anumbius.

It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, pastureland, and heavily degraded former forest.

It got its name because it is frequently seen carrying sticks to its nest. It interweaves thorny twigs to build its nest. It can be up to 6½ ft (2 m) tall and decorated with glass or threads. The young from the first brood may be ejected from the territory, but may help raise the second brood.

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. (Proverbs 26:20 ESV)

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (Proverbs 26:20-22 KJV)

This next verse I don’t think applies to the Firewood-gatherer bird. I am sure they don’t know one day from the other, so I am sure they do not get in trouble.

Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. (Numbers 15:32 NKJV)

Firewood-gatherer (Anumbius annumbi) Nest ©WikiC

I discovered this uniquely named bird while working on Furnariidae family. After working on the Toucans, this family of 307 species is rather bland. They are mostly brownish, with little color so I was not as excited trying to find the photos. Yet, the Lord created them all, and who am I to judge them by just their outer feathers? Isn’t that true of us? We aren’t to place one person above another.

My brothers, ye should not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, in favoritism. For if a man with a gold ring in bright clothing comes into your synagogue, and also a poor man in dirty clothing comes in, and ye have regard for the man wearing the bright clothing, and say to him, Sit thou here well, and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit here below my footstool, then are ye not partial among yourselves, and become judges from evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, did not God choose the poor of the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to those who love him? (James 2:1-5 ACV)

Even the birds can help us learn lessons that are good for us. Praise the Lord for all He does to help us serve Him better. Look around, there are lessons everywhere to be discerned and taken to heart.

(Wikipedia and other internet sources)

Anumbius annumbi (Firewood Gatherer) by Jose Ignacio, Maldonado

See:

Furnariidae – Ovenbirds Family
Firewood-gather Video by IBC (Neat)
Firewood-gather – Arthur Grosset
Firewood-gather – Wikipedia

Birds of the World ~ Toucan Family (Ramphastidae)

March 9, 2013 by Lee

Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) ©WikiC

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

While working on the Ramphastidae Family yesterday, I decided to share some of the beauty the Lord created in this group of birds. These are the Toucans, Toucanets, and Aracaris. They are just so appealing to see and wonder how the Lord comes up with so many designs and colors in His Creation. This family definitely show such variety.

This morning while reading my latest Acts & Facts, there was an article about Diversity by Dr. James J. S. Johnson, who did our guest article this week,( Bird Brains, Amazing Evidence of God’s Genius). Both are very interesting articles worth reading. But I want to quote Dr. Johnson about variety.

Two words summarize the answer: life and variety. Even in this after-Eden world, cursed and groaning as it is under the weight of sin and death, we still see a prolific and diversified creation.

Why did God design earth’s biodiversity the way that He did?

God loves life. God is the essence and ultimate origin of all forms and levels of life.1

God loves variety. God’s nature is plural, yet one, and He is the Creator of all biological diversity anywhere and everywhere on earth.2

This family catches your eye and causes a second look. Toco Toucans are familiar to many, and some of the others. (Even Toucan Sam is the cartoon mascot for Froot Loops breakfast cereal). We had the privilege to meet “Gracie” a retired Chestnut-mandibled Toucan at the National Aviary. (National Aviary – Hospital, Breeding, and Kitchen Areas) Needless to say, that is the closest I have been to a Toucan.

Gracie the retired Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

Gracie the retired Chestnut-mandibled Toucan petted by Lee

The Ramphastidae Family has 5 or 6 genera, depending on sources, with Toucanets in the Aulacorhynchus and Selenidera, Mountain Toucans in the Andigena genus, Aracaris are Pteroglossus with the Saffron Toucanet added by some, and the Typical Toucans belong to the Ramphastos genus. The “Toucan” name of this bird group is derived from the Tupi word tukana, via Portuguese. They have large colorful and brightly marked bills.

Toucans range in size from the Lettered Aracari (Pteroglossus inscriptus), at 130 g (4.6 oz) and 29 cm (11.5 inches), to the Toco Toucan(Ramphastos toco), at 1.5 lb (680 g) and 29 inches (63 cm). Their bodies are short (of comparable size to a crow’s) and compact. The tail is rounded and varies in length, from half the length to the whole length of the body. The neck is short and thick. The wings are small, as they are forest-dwelling birds who only need to travel short distances.

The legs of the toucan are strong and rather short. Their toes are arranged in pairs with the first and fourth toes turned backward. The majority of toucans do not show any sexual dimorphism in their coloration. However, the bills of female toucans are usually shorter, deeper and sometimes straighter, giving more of a “blocky” impression compared to male bills. The feathers in the genus containing the largest toucans are generally black, with touches of white, yellow, and scarlet. The underparts of the araçaris (smaller toucans) are yellow, crossed by one or more black or red bands. The toucanets have mostly green plumage with blue markings.

Toucans are native to Southern Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean region. They generally live in tropical and sub-tropical regions. They make their nests in tree hollows and holes excavated by other animals such as woodpeckers—the toucan bill has very limited use as an excavation tool.

They mainly eat fruit, but will eat insects and small lizards if they become available. However, in their range, toucans are the dominant frugivores, and as such play an extremely important ecological role as vectors for seed dispersal of fruiting trees.

Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) by Reinier Munguia

Toucanets

The green toucanets are birds from the genus Aulacorhynchus in the toucan family. They are native to Mexico, and Central and South America. All are found in humid forests and woodlands in highlands, but a few also occur in adjacent lowlands. They are relatively small toucans, 12–17 in (30–44 centimetres) long, with colorful, mainly green, plumage. They are typically seen in pairs or small groups, and sometimes follow mixed species flocks.

Wagler’s Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus wagleri)
Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
Blue-throated Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis)
White-throated Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus albivitta)
Black-throated Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus atrogularis)
Groove-billed Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus sulcatus)
Chestnut-tipped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus derbianus)
Tepui Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus whitelianus)
Crimson-rumped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus)
Yellow-browed Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus huallagae)
Blue-banded Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis)

Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis) ©WikiC

Selenidera is a bird genus containing six species of dichromatic toucanets in the toucan family Ramphastidae. They are found in lowland rainforest (below 1,500 metres or 4,900 feet) in tropical South America with one species in Central America.

All the species have green upperparts, red undertail-coverts and a patch of bare blue or blue-green skin around the eye. Unlike most other toucans, the sexes are different in color. The males all have a black crown, nape, throat and breast and an orange/yellow auricular streak. The females of most species have the black sections in the male replaced by rich brown and a reduced/absent auricular streak,

Saffron Toucanet (Pteroglossus bailloni)
Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis)
Guianan Toucanet (Selenidera piperivora)
Golden-collared Toucanet (Selenidera reinwardtii)
Tawny-tufted Toucanet (Selenidera nattereri)
Gould’s Toucanet (Selenidera gouldii)
Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculirostris)

Many-banded Aracari (Pteroglossus pluricinctus) by Kent Nickel

Aracari

An aracari or araçari is any of the medium-sized toucans that, together with the Saffron Toucanet, make up the genus Pteroglossus. They are brightly plumaged and have enormous, contrastingly patterned bills. These birds are residents in forests and woodlands in the Neotropics.

Green Aracari (Pteroglossus viridis)
Lettered Aracari (Pteroglossus inscriptus)
Red-necked Aracari (Pteroglossus bitorquatus)
Ivory-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus azara)
Brown-mandibled Aracari (Pteroglossus mariae)
Black-necked Aracari (Pteroglossus aracari)
Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis)
Many-banded Aracari (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
Stripe-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus sanguineus)
Pale-mandibled Aracari (Pteroglossus erythropygius)
Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii)
Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaesii)

Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena laminirostris) by Michael Woodruff

Mountain Toucans

Andigena, the mountain toucans, is a genus of birds in the Ramphastidae family. They are found in humid highland forests in the Andes of South America, ranging from Bolivia to Venezuela. These medium-sized toucans all have olive-brown upperparts, a black crown, yellow rump, blue-grey underparts and a red vent.

Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca)
Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena laminirostris)
Hooded Mountain Toucan (Andigena cucullata)
Black-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena nigrirostris)

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) ©WikiC

Toucans

Ramphastos is a genus of toucans, tropical and subtropical near passerine birds from Mexico, and Central and South America, which are brightly marked and have enormous, often colourful, bills.

This genus comprises the largest toucans, ranging from 17 to 24 in (42 to 61 centimetres) in length. All have black wings, tails and thighs, but the color of the remaining plumage depends on the exact species involved. All the species are basically fruit-eating, but will take insects and other small prey. They are arboreal and nest in tree holes laying 2–4 white eggs. They are essentially resident birds, but may take part in minor, local movements (e.g., to lower altitudes in the winter).

Green-billed Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus)
Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus)
Citron-throated Toucan (Ramphastos citreolaemus)
Choco Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)
White-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus)
Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus)

Enjoy the variety of these beautiful birds that have been placed here for their benefit and our enjoyment by their Creator. Clicking the links will reveal some that are at various websites besides the ones here.

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalms 90:17 NKJV)

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (Psalms 96:6 ESV)

(Wikipedia and other internet sources)

Birds of the Bible – Name Study ~ Ossifrage

March 8, 2013 by Lee

Black Vulture by Birdway (Ian)

And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, (Leviticus 11:13 KJV)

We have looked into this bird before in Birds of the Bible – Ossifrage and the Birds of the Bible Ossifrage Page. Since we have been looking at the actual meanings of the names in the Name Studies, maybe we can discover something else of interest. I hope this long list below of the different translations that are shown are a blessing and not a curse. They were cut down to just show the three birds, except for the translations that like to put all the verses in one verse. (from my e-Sword)

Scanning down through the list the Eagle seems to be no real problem. Most translate it as an Eagle. The last bird, most show as the Osprey or Sea-eagle. Wikipedia says, “The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), sometimes known as the sea hawk, fish eagle or fish hawk,” A few make this last bird one of the vultures. The middle bird is our concentration in this article.

Ossifrage – Lammergier

Looking down this list you will find these birds:

Vulture
Ossifrage
Gier-eagle
Goshauke or Goshawk
Griffon
Bearded Vulture
Black Vulture
Latin – grypem or gryphem = griffon
Spanish – el buitre – (from translator)

(Ornitología) vulture
buitre alimoche Egyptian vulture
buitre leonado griffon vulture

or quebrantahuesos – “In 1960, the Mexican ornithologist Rafael Martín del Campo identified the eagle in the pre-Hispanic codex as the Northern Caracara or “quebrantahuesos“, a species common in Mexico (although the name “eagle” is taxonomically incorrect, as the Caracara is in the falcon family). The golden eagle is considered the official bird of Mexico.

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) ©WikiC

What is the Hebrew word for this bird?

H6538
פּרס
peres
peh’-res
From H6536; a claw; also a kind of eagle: – claw, ossifrage.

Many of the online Bible Commentaries and Dictionaries use “bone-breaker” and lean toward Lammergeir. See: Bible Encyclopedia, Net Bible, OED, Bible Suite,and Bible Study Tools.

English

(ACV) : the eagle, and the vulture, and the osprey,
(AKJV) …: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
(AMP) …: the eagle, the ossifrage, the ospray,
(ASV) …: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,
(BBE) …: the eagle and the gier-eagle and the ospray;
(Bishops) …: The Egle, the Goshauke, and the Ospray,
(Brenton) …: the eagle and the ossifrage, and the sea-eagle.
(CEV) Eagles, vultures, buzzards, crows, ostriches, hawks, sea gulls, owls, pelicans, storks, herons, hoopoes, and bats are also disgusting, and you are forbidden to eat any of them.
(CJB) …: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey,
(Darby) …: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the sea-eagle,
(DRB) …: The eagle, and the griffon, and the osprey.
(ERV) …: eagles, vultures, buzzards,
(ESV)..: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,
(ECB)…: the eagle and the ossifrage and the ospray
(Geneva) … the egle, and the goshauke, and the osprey:
(GNB) You must not eat any of the following birds: eagles, owls, hawks, falcons; buzzards, vultures, crows; ostriches; seagulls, storks, herons, pelicans, cormorants; hoopoes; or bats.
(GW) …. They are eagles, bearded vultures, black vultures,
(HCSB) …: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,
(HRB) …: the eagle, and the black vulture and the bearded vulture,
(IAV) …: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
(ISV) …: the eagle, vulture, osprey,
(LITV-TSP) …: the eagle, and the black vulture and the bearded vulture,
(JPS) …: the great vulture, and the bearded vulture, and the ospray;
(KJ2000) …: the eagle, and the vulture, and the osprey,
(KJV) …: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
(KJV-1611) …: The Eagle, and the Ossifrage, and the Ospray,
(LITV) …: the eagle, and the black vulture and the bearded vulture,
(MKJV) …: the eagle, and the black vulture, and the bearded vulture,
(MSG) …: eagle, vulture, osprey,
(NAS77) …: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard,
(NASB) ‘…: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard,
(NET) … the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,
(NIrV) …”‘They include eagles, vultures and black vultures.
(NIV) …: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture,
(NKJV)…: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard,
(NRSV) …: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey,
(RV) …: the eagle, and the gier eagle, and the ospray;
(The Disciple’s Bible) …: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,
(TRC) …The eagle, the goshawk, the cormorant, the kite,
(Tyndale) … The egle, the gooshauke, the cormoraunte, the kyte,
(UKJV) …: the eagle, and the vulture, and the buzzard,
(Webster) …: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
(WEB (R)) …: the eagle, and the vulture, and the black vulture,
(YLT) …: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

Latin

(Vulgate) … aquilam et grypem et alietum
(clVulgate) …: aquilam, et gryphem, et haliæetum,

Spanish

(LBLA) …: el águila, el buitre y el buitre negro,
(NBLH)…: el águila, el buitre y el buitre negro,
(SRV) …: el águila, el quebrantahuesos, el esmerejón,

Hebrew or Greek #s (with some editing)

(KJV+) …: the eagle,H5404 and the ossifrage,H6538 and the ospray,H5822
(NASB+) …: the eagle H5404 and the vulture H6538 and the buzzard H5822,
(Translit+) … . nesher H5404 . . perec H6538 . . ‘ozniyah H5822
(ABP+) … the G3588 eagle, G105 and the griffin,G1127.3 and the osprey,G230.1
(HSB) וְאֶת…; like אֶת־ H853 ‘et- הַנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ H5404 han·Ne·sher the eagle וְאֶת־ H853 ve·’Et הַפֶּ֔רֶס H6538 hap·Pe·res, and the ossifrage וְאֵ֖ת H853 ve·’Et הָעָזְנִיָּֽה׃ H5822 ha·’a·ze·ni·Yah. and the ospray
(HSB2) … the eagle וְאֶת־ H853 הַפֶּ֔רֶס H6538 and the ossifrage וְאֵ֖ת H853 הָעָזְנִיָּֽה׃ H5822 and the ospray

Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

The Bearded Vulture is in the Gypaetus genus, which is similar to the Vulgate term for it. There are many Old World Vultures in the Accipitridae – Kites, Hawks and Eagles family and most likely it is one of them. A black or bearded one. The Black Vulture above is a New World Vulture and is in the Cathartidae – New World Vultures Family. That “black vulture” is not likely to be the one in this Scriputure.

The Bearded Vulture, like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly on animal matter from dead animals. It usually disdains the actual meat, however, and lives on a diet that is typically compromised at 85-90% by bone marrow. This is the only living bird species that specializes in feeding on marrow. The Lammergeier can swallow whole or bite through brittle bones up to the size of a lamb’s femur and its powerful digestive system quickly dissolves even large pieces. The Lammergeier has learned to crack bones too large to be swallowed by carrying them in flight to a height of 50–150 m (160–490 ft) above the ground and then dropping them onto rocks below, which smashes them into smaller pieces and exposes the nutritious marrow. They can fly with bones up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter and weighing over 4 kg (8.8 lb), or nearly equal to their own weight. After dropping the large bones, the Bearded Vulture spirals or glides to down to inspect them and may repeat the act if the bone is not sufficiently cracked. This learned skill requires extensive practice by immature birds and takes up to seven years to master. Its old name of Ossifrage (“bone breaker”) relates to this habit. More seldom, these birds have been observed to try to break bones (usually of a medium size) by hammering them with their bill directly into rocks while perched. (from Wikipedia with editing)

Sounds like a “bone-breaker” and also look at its claws. As I said in the other article “Only God knows which bird was really indicated.” Whichever one it is, they are Birds of Prey and being on the “do not eat” list, they definitely would not end up on my table even though that law was for then. Praise the Lord that the Law was fulfilled through the sinless crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17-18 KJV)

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44 KJV)

Gospel Presentation

Vol. 2, No. 4 – The Snowflake

March 6, 2013 by Lee

Snow Bunting of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897

From col. F. M. Woodruff. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.

THE SNOWFLAKE

(RELOCATED – CLICK HERE)

Birds of the Bible – Prayer

March 4, 2013 by Lee

Sandhill Cranes with “Colts”

“Ah, Soul, God does listen to the chattering of cranes! I know He does, for I have read in His Word what is tantamount to that in the text [Isaiah 38:14],

Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. (Isaiah 38:14 KJV)

Northern Raven (Corvus corax) by Kent Nickell

“He hears the young ravens when they cry.”

And surely if He hears a raven’s cry and if not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father, your prayer, though it may be very indistinct and the language, itself, may be very unworthy of the Divine ear, yet it shall command an audience and will bring down a blessing from above!”

American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) w chicks ©USFWS

Above is a quote from C. H. Spurgeon’s Notable Quotes: —Volume 61, Sermon #3468

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalms 5:1-3 KJV)

See all the:

Birds of the Bible

Birds of the Bible – Get Off My Back

March 1, 2013 by Lee

Laughing Gull landing on Brown Pelican

I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. (Psalms 102:6 NKJV)

Yesterday we were at the beach at MacDill AFB in Tampa. Apparently the fish were numerous, because the Brown Pelicans, Forster’s Tern, Laughing Gulls, Ospreys and others were diving in.

Laughing Gull landing on Brown Pelican

What really amazed me were the Laughing Gulls landing on the backs of the Brown Pelicans. Checking the internet to find out about this, I came across this very interesting article, The Pelican and the Gull. It appears this is a common practice for the Laughing Gull to steal some of the Pelicans food.

Here are some excerpts from that article:

One method the laughing gull has of getting food is to steal fish from another seabird that inhabits the region, the brown pelican. The laughing gull accomplishes this larceny by waiting for the brown pelican to make a successful dive….

When the pelican has a bill full of fish and water, it transfers the fish to the pouch that hangs below its bill. The pelican cannot fly away or swallow the fish until the water is drained from the pouch. Laughing gulls either circle closely above the pelican or land on the pelican’s bill or head. The gull may even give the pelican a sharp peck or two. If the pelican pays too much attention to the antics of the laughing gull and not enough attention to the delicate draining and swallowing process, the pelican may lose some of the trapped fish. The gull then swoops down and scoops up the pelican’s hard-earned catch, flying away at top speed from the scene of the crime and makes short work of his ill-gotten gains.

Of course, I could make all kinds of applications about not stealing, pecking someone on the head, or getting on their backs without permission. Because of the curse we are all under, the birds included, this kind of things happen. Eagles steal from Ospreys, Cuckoos lay eggs in other species nest, etc. For us, we know that stealing is wrong and I trust we don’t. Also, we are supposed to “love one another.” Not so sure this is being displayed here.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)

Here is another sequence of photos I took of an exchange between the Gull and the Pelican (cropped):

Pelican catching fish and Gull circling

Laughing Gull watching Brown Pelican preparing to land

Laughing Gull lands on Pelican as he comes up

Would you hurry up

Waiting

Slipping Off

Watching His Food Source Leave

Maybe I can catch him

These photos were taken with my zoom because they were out quite a way from the shore. The following two photos were closer up as they both posed on posts for us.

Pelicans belong to the Pelecanidae – Pelicans Family and are on of the Birds of the Bible.

Mature Brown Pelican by Dan at MacDill

The Brown Pelican is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, although it is a large bird in nearly every other regard. It is 42–54 in (106–137 cm) in length, weighs from 6.1 to 12 lb (2.75 to 5.5 kg) and has a wingspan from 6.0 to 8.2 ft (1.83 to 2.5 m). Through most of its range, the brown pelican is an unmistakable bird. Like all pelicans, this species has a very large bill, 11 to 13.7 in (28 to 34.8 cm) long in this case, with a gular pouch on the bottom for draining water when it scoops out prey. The head is white but often gets a yellowish wash in adult birds. The bill is grayish overall in most birds, though breeding birds become reddish on the underside of the throat. The back, rump, and tail are streaked with gray and dark brown, sometimes with a rusty hue. In adult pelicans, the breast and belly are a blackish-brown and the legs and feet are black. The juvenile is similar but has a brownish-gray neck and white underparts.

This bird is readily distinguished from the American White Pelican by its non-white plumage, smaller size and its habit of diving for fish from the air, as opposed to co-operative fishing from the surface. The Peruvian Pelican, previously considered a subspecies of Brown Pelican, is now considered to be a separate species. It has very similar plumage to the Brown, but it is noticeably larger. The Brown and Peruvian pelicans may overlap in some areas along the Pacific coast of South America.

the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after their kinds; (Deuteronomy 14:15 NKJV)

Laughing Gull on post by Lee

The Laughing Gull is a member of the Laridae – Gulls, Terns and Skimmers Family and is a Bird of the Bible also. The Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) is a medium-sized gull of North and South America. It breeds on the Atlantic coast of North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Northernmost populations migrate further south in winter, and this species occurs as a rare vagrant to western Europe. The Laughing Gull’s English name is derived from its raucous kee-agh call, which sounds like a high-pitched laugh “ha… ha… ha…”.

This species is easy to identify. It is 14–16 in (36–41 cm) long with a 39–43 in (98–110 cm) wingspan. The summer adult’s body is white apart from the dark grey back and wings and black head. Its wings are much darker grey than all other gulls of similar size except the smaller Franklin’s Gull, and they have black tips without the white crescent shown by Franklin’s. The beak is long and red. The black hood is mostly lost in winter.

Laughing Gulls take three years to reach adult plumage. Immature birds are always darker than most similar-sized gulls other than Franklin’s. First-year birds are greyer below and have paler heads than first-year Franklin’s, and second-years can be distinguished by the wing pattern and structure. Laughing Gulls breed in coastal marshes and ponds in large colonies. The large nest, made largely from grasses, is constructed on the ground. The 3 or 4 greenish eggs are incubated for about three weeks. These are omnivores like most gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seeking suitable small prey. Like most other members of the genus Leucophaeus, the Laughing Gull was long placed in the genus Larus. (Wikipedia with editing)

Interesting Links:

The Pelican and the Gull
Pelican – Wikipedia
Brown Pelican – Wikipedia
Birds of the Bible – Pelicans
Birds of the Bible – Sea Gulls
Pelecanidae – Pelicans Family
Laridae – Gulls, Terns and Skimmers Family

Vol. 2, No. 4 – The Wood Pewee

March 1, 2013 by Lee

Wood Pewee of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897

Eastern Pewee’s Twilight Song (Though this bird sings throughout the day, listen for its ballads before dawn’s light and well after sunset when this activity peaks. WhatBird) by Todd Wilson – xeno-canto

From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.

THE WOOD PEWEE.

(RELOCATED – CLICK HERE)

“A Cardinal Sits With Me” ~ by Sandra Conner

February 28, 2013 by Lee

“A Cardinal Sits With Me” by Sandra Conner (Re-post)

This is a delightful poem by Sandra.

A Cardinal Sits With Me

Posted on February 28, 2013

A Cardinal sits with me at end of day.
It is a bleak, unhappy time,
And I have lost my way.

He seems content to stay a while and rest,
And my front porch is cool with shade,
Sun moving to the west.

To read the rest of A Cardinal Sits With Me.

Fifth Blog Anniversary

February 27, 2013 by Lee

White-throated Sparrow by Ray Barlow

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. (Luke 12:6 NKJV)

I just realized that this blog, Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus, is now 5 years old. On February 15, 2008 I posted the first article on our church blog, The Fountain. At that time I began my own blog on Blogspot and then moved everything over here to WordPress and have been here since then. It was named Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures (original site) and later added the Plus as more articles about other topics were added.

The Fountain was a printed newsletter produced at church and it eventually became only an online version. It has developed over the years, just as this blog has. Stephen, our Assistant to the Pastor, is the reason that this blog exists. He invited me to write there and the rest is history.

When I brought the blog here, I moved all the originals also and this is that First article, Birds of the Bible Introduction. The One Year Anniversary, Second Anniversary of Blog,

In July of 2009, Ian Montgomery gave permission to reproduce his newsletters and also to use his photos. That started the Ian’s Bird of the Week series. In March of 2010, A J Mithra started doing articles for the blog. Ian is Australian and A J is Indian. We have other guest writers who add articles for the blog also.

Bald Eagle flying by Dave’s BirdingPix

Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high? (Job 39:27 ESV)

The other off-shoot blog:

The Birds of the Bible For Kids was begun in July of 2012 and is still developing. It has already had almost 5,800 views. My hearts desire is to get busy on this and show young people God’s Creative Hand though the Birds of the Bible, but written more to their level. (Update 10/3/14 – Move to Kid’s Section)

The Lord has blessed these sites way beyond what I ever imagined or prayed about when it began. The main site right now has had 868,500 views since moving it in July of 2008. All three of them added together is over a million views. Wow! Praise the Lord!

Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) by Ian

Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold. (Psalms 68:13 NKJV)

What about the future? Lord willing, I hope to keep finding neat things about the birds in the Bible and in the world to write about. Maybe some more writers will contribute to this adventure. Maybe more photographers and videographers will give their permission to use their images of these fantastic birds. (Of course, I really love one of my photographers, my husband, Dan) Only the Lord know the end from the beginning.

Without all of you, who stop by to read these articles and see the amazing birds, it would be useless. Thank you from the bottom of heart and may you receive a blessing from something you see and read.

I am so thankful that He has enabled me to write about His beautiful and delightful avian wonders.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)

Bible Birds – Swallow Introduction

February 26, 2013 by Lee

Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) by Nikhil Devasar

Even the stork in the heavens Knows her appointed times; And the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow Observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 NKJV)

Previously, we introduced the Thrush and used the above verse. Today, we will look at that same verse, but from a different version of Scripture that translates the bird as a Swallow. Here is the same little Greek study for you: The Greek word (the OT was written mostly in Greek) gives the word (H5693) עגוּר -or – ‛âgûr (aw-goor’) An unused root meaning to twitter; probably the swallow: – swallow. Translations using the word Swallow, have more than one verse that refers to the bird. The New King James Version has these other verses:

Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. (Psalms 84:3 NKJV) Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. (Proverbs 26:2 NKJV) Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered; I mourned like a dove; My eyes fail from looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed; Undertake for me! (Isaiah 38:14 NKJV)

So there are at least four verses with the Swallow listed. The Swallows belong to the Hirundinidae – Swallows, martins Family. There are 88 members in the family at present. Many times in the Bible they mention a bird‘s name and then say “after its kind.” For now, let’s just same that it means all of those species in that family. The Swallows also have Saw-wings and Martins in the family. They live on all the continents except Antarctica.

This family is known for their aerial feeding. taking flying insects on the wing. Swallows hunt insects on the wing because they were designed with a slender, streamlined body and long pointed wings, which allow great maneuverability and endurance, as well as frequent periods of gliding. Their body shape allows for very efficient flight, which costs 50-75% less for swallows than equivalent passerines of the same size. Swallows usually forage at around 18.6-25 mph (30–40 km/h), although they are capable of reaching speeds of between 31-40 mph (50–65 km/h) when traveling.

The legs are short, and their feet were created for perching rather than walking, as the front toes are partially joined at the base. Swallows are capable of walking and even running, but they do so with a shuffling, waddling gait. The leg muscles of the river martins (Pseudochelidon) are stronger and more robust than those of other swallows.

The most common plumage is glossy dark blue or green above and plain or streaked underparts, often white or rufous. Species which burrow or live in dry or mountainous areas are often matte brown above (e.g. Sand Martin and Crag Martin). The typical song of swallows is a simple, sometimes musical twittering.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) by J Fenton

Our verse above mentions the birds and how they KNOW when it is time to migrate, but what about the end of the verse? The Lord uses birds and other critters as an example, BUT He is mainly trying to teach us something.

Let’s see what some of the different versions say about what we are supposed to learn from these birds.

(HCSB) ”are aware of their migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.”

(MSG) …know when it’s time to move south for winter… know when it’s time to come back again. But my people? My people know nothing, not the first thing of GOD and his rule.

(NET) …knows when it is time to move on…recognize the normal times for their migration. But my people pay no attention to what I, the LORD, require of them.

Do you know what the Lord wants you to do? Do you know Him as your Savior? If you do, are you doing what the Bible tells us we should do? Are you obeying your parents? And doing what the Lord wants you to do?.

The Lord loves us, just as your parents do. When you obey them you are happier and blessed. When you do not obey, are you happy or sad? The same is true with obeying the Word that the Lord has given us through His Word, the Bible.

See:

Bible Birds – Swallow
Bible Birds
Hirundinidae – Swallows, martins Family
Wordless Birds

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Green Rosella

February 26, 2013 by Lee

Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus) by Ian 1

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Green Rosella ~ by Ian Montgomery

Newsletter ~ 2/26/13

The two recent Tasmanian birds of the week seem to have been popular so here is another one, the Green Rosella. I spent an enjoyable week in a rented campervan in Tasmanian in December 2011 on the way back from the Sub-antarctic trip chasing Tasmanian specialties. After that trip, the Tasmanian species got somewhat eclipsed by the penguins, albatrosses and other seabirds as choices for bird of the week, so I’m making amends now.

Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus) by Ian 2

At up to 37cm/14.6in in length, it’s the largest of the Rosellas, being marginally larger on average than its close relative the Crimson Rosella which it replaces in Tasmania and some islands in Bass Strait. Males are generally larger than females and there are subtle between the sexes with males having relatively larger upper mandibles and broader heads (first photo) and females having more orange on the cheeks (second photo) though most of the field guides don’t distinguish between the sexes.

Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus) by Ian 3

Juveniles, third photo, are more distinctive with duller more olive plumage and, in flight, pale wing stripes. This bird was in the company of the adult in the second photo, and the one in the first photo was in the same area, so I assumed that they comprised a family.

Green Rosellas are quite common throughout Tasmania, showing a preference for highland forest, though these ones were near the coast on the Tinderbox Peninsula south of Hobart, a good place to search for all the Tasmanian endemics.

“Yellow” Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans flaveolus) by Ian 4

The specific name caledonicus was used by the German naturalist Johann Gmelin in 1788, who mistakenly believed that the type specimen had been collected in New Caledonia. Confusion is the name of the game in Rosella terminology, and species boundaries have changed over the years. The Crimson Rosella has two races which differ greatly in plumage and both the ‘Yellow Rosella’ of Southwest NSW and the ‘Adelaide Rosella’ of South Australia have been regarded as separate species in the past. The Yellow Rosella (fourth photo) looks quite like the Green Rosella – and not at all like a Crimson Rosella – but the Green, given its geographical isolation, has been given the benefit of the doubt and retained as a separate species. This is just as well, politically anyway, as it’s the avian symbol of Tasmania and deserves a certain status.

Best wishes
Ian

**************************************************
Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Tel 0411 602 737 ian@birdway.com.au
Check the latest website updates:
http://www.birdway.com.au/#updates

Lee’s Addition:

I will teach you regarding the hand and handiwork of God; that which is with the Almighty … (Job 27:11a AMP)

The Green Rosella is sometimes referred to as the Tasmanian Rosella, probably as Ian mentioned because it is the Avian Symbol of Tasmanian. The Green and “Yellow” Crimson Rosella are part of the Psittacidae – Parrots Family. What gorgeous birds belong to this family and they show the Handiwork of the Lord at some of it’s finest.

Their diet is composed of seeds, fruit, berries and flowers, as well as insects and insect larvae. The Green Rosella is predominantly herbivorous, consuming seeds, berries, nuts and fruit, as well as flowers, but may also eat insect larvae and insects such as psyllids. They have also partaken of the berries of the common hawthorn, as well as Coprosma and Cyathodes, and even leaf buds of the Common Osier. The seeds of the Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) are also eaten.

The breeding season is October to January, with one brood. The nesting site is usually a hollow over 1 m (3 ft) deep in a tree trunk anywhere up to 30 m (100 ft) above the ground. A clutch of four or five white and slightly shiny eggs, measuring 30 x 24 mm, is laid. The nestlings leave the nest around five weeks after hatching and remain with their parents for another month.

Bible Birds – Thrush Introduction

February 25, 2013 by Lee

Bible Birds – Thrush Introduction

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush by Peter Ericsson

Even the stork in the sky Knows her seasons; And the turtledove and the swift and the thrush Observe the time of their migration; But My people do not know The ordinance of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 NASB)

The Thrush only appears once in the Bible. Not all versions of the Scripture translates or says that it is a Thrush. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is one of the ones that does. Also the CEV, ERV, GNB, HRB, LITV and the NIV use the word “Thrush”.

Here is a little Greek study for you:

The Greek word (the OT was written mostly in Greek) gives the word (H5693) עגוּר -or – ‛âgûr (aw-goor’)

An unused root meaning to twitter; probably the swallow: – swallow.

Many of the different Bibles use the word Swallow, and some of those above use both the Swallow and the Thrush.

White-necked Thrush (Turdus albicollis) by Dario Sanches

Both birds migrate and both “twitter.”

Listen to the song of the Wood Thrush and see if you can detect a “twitter” in its voice:

Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) by Daves BirdingPix

Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and are grey or brown in colour, often with speckled underparts.

They often feed on the ground or eat small fruit, but most species also eat worms, land snails, and fruit. Many species are permanently resident in warm climes, while others migrate to higher latitudes during summer, often over considerable distances.

The songs of some species, including members of the genera Catharus, Myadestes, and Turdus, are considered to be among the most beautiful in the avian world. (Wikipedia and other internet sources)

Let’s see what some of the different versions say about what we are supposed to learn from these birds.

(HCSB) “are aware of their migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.”

(MSG) …know when it’s time to move south for winter… know when it’s time to come back again. But my people? My people know nothing, not the first thing of GOD and his rule.

(NET) …knows when it is time to move on…recognize the normal times for their migration. But my people pay no attention to what I, the LORD, require of them.

Do you know what the Lord wants you to do? Do you know Him as your Savior? If you do, are you doing what the Bible tells us we should do? Are you obeying your parents? And many other things.

The Lord loves us, just as your parents do. When you obey them aren’t you more pleased and blessed than when you don’t obey? The same is true with obeying the Word that the Lord has given us through His Word, the Bible.

See:

Wordless Birds

Bible Birds – Thrushes

Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective

Author Archives: Lee

Bird of the World – Firewood-gatherer

Birds of the World ~ Toucan Family (Ramphastidae)

Birds of the Bible – Name Study ~ Ossifrage

Vol. 2, No. 4 – The Snowflake

THE SNOWFLAKE

(RELOCATED – CLICK HERE)

Birds of the Bible – Prayer

Birds of the Bible – Get Off My Back

Vol. 2, No. 4 – The Wood Pewee

THE WOOD PEWEE.

(RELOCATED – CLICK HERE)

“A Cardinal Sits With Me” ~ by Sandra Conner

A Cardinal Sits With Me

Fifth Blog Anniversary

Bible Birds – Swallow Introduction

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Green Rosella

Bible Birds – Thrush Introduction

Bible Birds – Thrush Introduction

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THE SNOWFLAKE

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THE WOOD PEWEE.

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Bible Birds – Thrush Introduction

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