Avian And Attributes – Purple

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

A Surprise For The Evolutionary Scientist!

April 11, 2018 by Lee

EVOLUTIONARY SCIENTISTS FIND A SURPRISE!

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.” Matthew 24:44

Painting: Passenger Pigeon According to the Bible’s history, human beings were created perfectly by God about 6,000 years ago. We should note that this means we were not only morally perfect, but genetically perfect as well. According to evolutionists, our ancestors split off from the monkeys millions of years ago. Both viewpoints agree that each generation of human beings adds mutations to the ongoing human gene pool.

How many mutations are added by each human generation? Researchers with the University of Sussex and the University of Edinburgh looked for the answer to this question. They examined DNA from living parents and children, as well as known mutation rates for mammals. They assumed that some mutations would be fatal and thus not added to the overall gene pool. They also assumed that a very few mutations might be helpful, an assumption that has never be demonstrated to be true. They finally calculated that 100 harmful mutations are added to the human gene pool by each generation. Their published conclusion was that, considering the millions of years humans have been evolving, we should have easily accumulated enough mutations to make us extinct a long time ago!

This research is clear evidence for a recent appearance of man, and implies that the Earth was created a relatively short time ago, as portrayed by the Genesis. However, human life on Earth will end when Jesus Christ returns to collect all believers to live in a new heavens and Earth.

Prayer:

Lord, Your Word is true so I eagerly await Your return for me. Amen.

Notes:

Notes: Nature, 1/28/99, “High genomic deleterious mutation rates in hominids,” pp. 344-347. Photo: The passenger pigeon, one of hundreds of species of extinct birds. (PD)

Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes † migratorius †) ©WikiC Specimen

Avian And Attributes – Pilot

April 10, 2018 by Lee

“But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.” (Acts 27:11 NASB)

“Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.” (James 3:4 NASB

Avian and Attributes – Pilot

PI’LOT, n.
1. One who steers a ship in a dangerous navigation, or rather one whose office or occupation is to steer ships, particularly along a coast, or into and out of a harbor, bay or river, where navigation is dangerous.
2. A guide; a director of the course of another person. [In colloquial use.]
PI’LOT, v.t. To direct the course of a ship in any place where navigation is dangerous.

Pilotbird (Pycnoptilus floccosus) by AGrosset

Pilotbird

The Pilotbird (Pycnoptilus floccosus) is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is monotypic within the genus Pycnoptilus. The species is endemic to south-east New South Wales and eastern Victoria in Australia. Its natural habitat is temperate wet sclerophyll forests and occasionally temperate rainforest. There are two subspecies Pycnoptilus floccosus floccosus lives in alpine areas of New South Wales such as the Snowy Mountains and Pycnoptilus floccosus sandfordi lives in lowland forest from Newcastle to Melbourne.

The pilotbird is a large, plump species of acanthizid, measuring around 18 centimetres (7.1 in) in length and weighing 27 grams (0.95 oz). It has a large head and a short bill. The plumage is mostly brown with scalloping on the chest and an orangeish throat. The species is highly terrestrial. The name of the species comes from its supposed habit of following lyrebirds, taking prey that they flush. This habit is well known but seldom observed.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalms 37:23 KJV)

One of the my favorite songs about being piloted is “I Will Pilot Thee.” Who else should be directing our steps?

Fear thou not for I’ll be with thee
I will still thy Pilot be
Never mind the tossing billows
Take My hand and trust in Me

*** I really stretched it this time. We haven’t been birdwatching much lately. ***

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Pearl

April 8, 2018 by Lee

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) by Robert Scanlon

“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” (Revelation 21:21-22 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Pearl

PEARL, n. perl.
1. A white, hard, smooth, shining body, usually roundish, found in a testaceous fish of the oyster kind. The pearl-shell is called matrix perlarum, mother of pearl, and the pearl is found only in the softer part of the animal. It is found in the Persian seas and in many parts of the ocean which washes the shores of Arabia and the continent and isles of Asia, and is taken by divers. Pearls are of different sizes and colors; the larger ones approach to the figure of a pear; some have been found more than an inch in length. They are valued according to their size, their roundness, and their luster or purity, which appears in a silvery brightness.
2. Poetically, something round and clear, as a drop of water or dew.
3. A white speck of film growing on the eye.
PEARL,v.t. perl. To set or adorn with pearls.
PEARL, v.i. perl. To resemble pearls.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46 KJV)

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) by Ian

Pearl Kite

The Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) is a very small raptor found in open savanna habitat adjacent to deciduous woodland. It is the only member of the genus Gampsonyx. The scientific name commemorates the English naturalist William Swainson.

The type specimen was collected from Brazil by English naturalist William Swainson, and described by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1825. Vigors noted the similarity to both hawks and falcons, but placed Gampsonyx within the “Accipitrine subfamily” because it lacks the notched beak of the falcons. He also noted its striking resemblance to the coloration of the falconets.

Later, the pearl kite was classified with the falcons. For example, Peters placed it with the forest falcons in subfamily Polyhieracinae. In the mid-20th century it was found to be related to Elanus based on morphology and its molt schedule.

This tiny kite breeds from Panama, Colombia and Venezuela south to Bolivia and northern Argentina, with an isolated sedentary population in Nicaragua. It is expanding its range and was proved to breed on Trinidad in 1970. It was first reported in Costa Rica in the mid-1990s, and now is fairly common along Pacific slope, to 1000m.

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) ©Flickr Fernando Flores

The pearl kite is 20.3–23 cm (8.0–9.1 in) in length and weighs 80–95 g (2.8–3.4 oz). It is the smallest raptor in the Americas and one of the two smallest accipitrids in the world (besides the little sparrowhawk). The tiny hawk, another neotropical species, attains a slightly higher weight than the pearl kite. The adult has a black crown, upperparts, wing and tail, a rufous edged white collar, yellow forehead and cheeks, mainly white underparts, and yellow legs. Immature birds are similar to the adults but have white and chestnut tips to the back and wing feathers, a buff collar and some buff on the white underparts. In flight this species looks mainly black above and white below. The northern form G. s. leonae differs from the nominate G. s. swainsonii in that it has rufous flanks.

The nest is a deep cup of sticks built high in a tree. The clutch is 2-4 brown-marked white eggs, incubated mainly by the female for 34–35 days to hatching, with a further 5 weeks to fledging. There may be two broods in a season.

The pearl kite feeds mainly on lizards, especially Anolis, but also takes small birds and insects; it usually sits on a high open perch from which it swoops on its prey. The call is a high musical pip-pip-pip-pip or kitty-kitty-kitty.

What will you do with Jesus?

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Paradise

April 6, 2018 by Lee

Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis) by Juan D Ramirez Rpo on Flickr From Pinterest

“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Paradise

PAR’ADISE, n. [Gr.] The garden of Eden, in which Adam and Eve were placed immediately after their creation.
1. A place of bliss; a region of supreme felicity or delight.
The earth
Shall all be paradise–
2. Heaven, the blissful seat of sanctified souls after death.
This day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23.
3. Primarily, in Persia, a pleasure-garden with parks and other appendages.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7 KJV)

Paradise Birds

Paradise Drongo

Paradise Drongo Photo

The paradise drongo or ribbon-tailed drongo (Dicrurus megarhynchus) is a species of bird in the family Dicruridae. It is endemic to New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.

Paradise Jacamar

Paradise Jacamar (Galbula dea) ©Arthur Grosset

The Paradise Jacamar (Galbula dea) distributed throughout tropical rainforests and savanna of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and the Guyanas. Its range encompasses nearly the entire Amazon Basin, except in the northwest basin in parts of Colombia and Venezuela, (the northeast is the three countries of the Guyanas, which drain to the Atlantic-Caribbean). The diet consists mainly of butterflies and other flying insects.

Paradise Riflebird

Paradise Riflebird-Australia-Birdway

Paradise Riflebird (Ptiloris paradiseus) is medium-sized, up to 30 cm long. The male is black with an iridescent greenish blue crown, throat and central tail feathers. It has a black curved bill, black feet, dark brown iris and yellow mouth. The female is an olive brown bird with barred blackish below with a long white brow above her eye. The species is Endemic to eastern Australia, where it occurs in the rainforests of New South Wales and central Queensland.

Paradise Riflebird (Ptiloris paradiseus) Female ©WikiC

Paradise Shelduck

Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) by Ian 2

The Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) is a large goose-like duck endemic to New Zealand. It is a shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds which are part of the bird family Anatidae. The genus name Tadorna comes from Celtic roots and means “pied waterfowl”. Known to the Māori as pūtangitangi, but now commonly referred to as the “paradise duck”, it is a prized game bird. Both the male and female have striking plumage: the male has a black head and barred black body, the female a white head with a chestnut body. The paradise shelducks usually live as pairs, grazing on grass and weeds, and will raid crops, particularly when molting.

Paradise Tanager

Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis) -DenverZoo-WikiC

The Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis) is a brilliantly multicolored, medium-sized songbird whose length varies between 13.5 and 15 cm. It has a light green head, sky blue underparts and black upper body plumage. Depending on subspecies, the rump is yellow and red or all red. The beak is black and the legs are grey.

Found in humid tropical and subtropical forests in the western and northern Amazon Basin in South America, it occurs in Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil and the Guianas. Despite its scientific name, it is not found in Chile.

Paradise-crow

Paradise-crow (Lycocorax pyrrhopterus) ©©Flickr

The Paradise-crow (Lycocorax pyrrhopterus) also known as the silky crow, is a medium-sized crow-like bird-of-paradise. One of the few monogamous birds-of-paradise, the paradise-crow is endemic to lowland forests of North Maluku in Indonesia. The diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods.

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Palm

April 5, 2018 by Lee

Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) 2 by Kent Nickell

Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) by Kent Nickell

“Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,” (Matthew 26:67 KJV)

“Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Palm

PALM, n. p`am.. [L. palma.]
1. The inner part of the hand.
2. A hand or hand’s breadth; a lineal measure of three inches.
4. The name of many species of plants, but particularly of the date-tree or great palm, a native of Asia and Africa.
The palms constitute a natural order of monocotyledonous plants,with a simple cylindric stem, terminating in a crown of leaves or fronds, within which rises a tuft of flowers and fruits; all natives of warm climates. They vary in size from 2 to more than 100 feet in height.
5. Branches of the palm being worn in token of victory, hence the word signifies superiority, victory, triumph. The palm was adopted as an emblem of victory, it is said, because the tree is so elastic as when pressed, to rise and recover its correct position.
Namur subdued is England’s palm alone.

“Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13 KJV)

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) ©Wikipedia

Palm Birds

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), also known as the goliath cockatoo or great black cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black parrot of the cockatoo family native to New Guinea, Aru Islands, and Cape York Peninsula. It has a very large black beak and prominent red cheek patches.

Palm Lorikeet (Charmosyna palmarum) ©Drawing WikiC

The Palm Lorikeet (Charmosyna palmarum) is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest and plantations.

Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) ©Arthur Grosset

The Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) is a medium-sized passerine bird. This tanager is a resident breeder from Nicaragua south to Bolivia, Paraguay and southern Brazil. It also breeds on Trinidad and, since 1962, on Tobago. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is known by colloquial names such as the “palmiste” and the “green jean”.

Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) by Bob-Nan

The Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. The species comprises two distinct subspecies that may merit specific status.

“Yellow palm warbler” or “eastern palm warbler” (S. p. hypochrysea) of the eastern third of the breeding range has brownish-olive upper parts and thoroughly yellow underparts with bold rufous breast and flank streaking. It migrates later in the fall than its western counterpart.

“Brown palm warbler” or “western palm warbler” (S. p. palmarum) inhabits the remaining western two-thirds of the breeding range. It has much less yellow below, with less colorful streaking, and cold grayish-brown upper parts.

Palmchat (Dulus dominicus) ©SevenSeas of Rhye

The Palmchat (Dulus dominicus) is a small, long-tailed passerine bird, the only species in the genus Dulus and the family Dulidae. It is thought to be related to the waxwings, family Bombycillidae, and is sometimes classified with that group. The name reflects its strong association with palms for feeding, roosting and nesting. The palmchat is the national bird of the Dominican Republic.

Gideon

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Noble

April 2, 2018 by Lee

Noble Snipe (Gallinago nobilis) ©WikiC

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Noble

NO’BLE, a.
1. Great; elevated; dignified; being above every thing that can dishonor reputation; as a nobel mind; a noble courage; noble deeds of valor.
2. Exalted; elevated; sublime.
3. Magnificent; stately; splendid; as a noble parade; a noble edifice.
4. Of an ancient and splendid family; as nobel by descent.
5. Distinguished from commoners by rank and title; as a noble personage.
8. Ingenuous; candid; of an excellent disposition; ready to receive truth. Acts 17.
9. Of the best kind; choice; excellent; as a noble vine. Jer 2.
NO’BLE, n.
1. A person of rank above a commoner; a nobleman; a peer; as a duke, marquis, earl, viscount or baron.
2. In Scripture, a person of honorable family or distinguished by station. Exo 24. Neh 6.

Noble Snipe (Gallinago nobilis) ©Drawing WikiC

Noble Snipe (Gallinago nobilis) is a small stocky wader. It breeds in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela above or just below the treeline. It is entirely sedentary.

This 30–32.5 cm long snipe has a stocky body and relatively short legs for a wader. Its upperparts, head and neck are streaked and patterned with dark brown and buff, and gold edges to the feathers form distinct lines down its back. The belly is white with brown barring on the flanks. The horn-coloured bill is very long and straight. The legs and feet are greyish-green. The sexes are similar, but females are longer billed; immature birds differ only in showing pale fringes on the wing coverts. The noble snipe has a clear melodious call.

The noble snipe is found high altitude wet grassland marshes and swamps from 2,700 – 4,200 m.

Little is known of its biology, but it has an aerial display, which involves flying high in circles, followed by a powerful stoop during which the bird makes a drumming sound, caused by vibrations of modified outer tail feathers, lower pitched than that of common snipe. It breeds from March to July.

The noble snipe is usually alone or in pairs, but is difficult to observe on the ground. It forages by pushing its long bill deep into the mud seeking insects and worms. Its cryptic plumage provides effective camouflage when the bird stands motionless amongst marsh vegetation.

Birds whose first name starts with “N”

Sharing The Gospel

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828) edited, unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Empty!!

April 1, 2018 by Lee

THE EMPTY CROSS

Arriving at Golgotha that evening, I was overcome with a sense of emptiness. The area was completely deserted, but three blood-stained crosses at the top of the hill served as solemn reminders of the events of the day.

Less than a week earlier, Jesus of Nazareth entered the city with His disciples and many others proclaiming Him as Messiah, our long-awaited Savior. We were full of hope, because He was clearly a teacher sent by God with the power to work miracles—healing, feeding, and even raising people from the grave!

But then, the one who we thought would bring salvation was dead. It all happened so quickly; one day He was teaching His followers, and the next He was on trial and condemned to death by crucifixion. Even the execution was rushed, as the soldiers used a spear to ensure that He was dead before the day was over.

The empty cross, and the emptiness in my heart, both testified to one fact—Jesus died.

THE EMPTY TOMB

Three days later, some of His followers went to the tomb, found it empty, and returned with amazing news—He was alive! For the next forty days, He continued to teach and encourage His disciples, appearing first to one, then two, then eleven—and eventually more than five hundred of us at once!

Jesus had predicted that He would suffer, die, and rise again, but we just couldn’t comprehend the beauty of God’s divine plan to redeem our souls. When He said, “I lay down My life, that I might take it again,” we didn’t realize what He meant at the time.

But now, looking back on these events, I see how the empty cross testifies of His love, and the empty tomb declares His mighty power. God’s Word says:

• “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16).

• “[Jesus was] declared to be the Son of God with power … by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).

This narrative was compiled using Biblical testimony found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, and 1 Corinthians.

YOUR RESPONSE?

Jesus took our sins upon Himself—suffered and died in our place—so we can be forgiven. There on the cross, He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The empty cross tells us that the work is done, the price has been paid, and the door to Heaven stands open.

The empty tomb demonstrates that Jesus won the victory over sin and death. Listen to His words: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

Jesus now offers salvation to all mankind. If we reject Him, we must stand before God and be judged for our sins—“cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

But if we admit that we are sinners, turn to God, and put our trust in Jesus Christ, we will find forgiveness and eternal life.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9,13).

Happy Resurrection Day!

He Is Risen Indeed!

The Gospel Message

With Permission from Moments With The Book

Avian And Attributes – Night

March 30, 2018 by Lee

“Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” (Matthew 26:31-34 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Night

NIGHT, n. [The sense may be dark, black, or it may be the decline of the day, from declining, departing.]
1. That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the time from sunset to sunrise.
2. The time after the close of life; death. John 9.
She closed her eyes in everlasting night.
3. A state of ignorance; intellectual and moral darkness; heathenish ignorance. Rom 13.
4. Adversity; a state of affliction and distress. Isa 21.
5. Obscurity; a state of concealment from the eye or the mind; unintelligibleness.
Nature and natures works lay hid in night.
In the night, suddenly; unexpectedly. Luke 12.
To-night, in this night. To-night the moon will be eclipsed.

Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) Drawing WikiC

Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is a small parrot endemic to the continent of Australia. It is well known as being one of the most elusive and mysterious birds in the world, with no confirmed sightings of the bird between 1912 and 1979, leading to speculation that it was extinct. Sightings since 1979 have been extremely rare and the bird’s population size is unknown, though based on the paucity of records it is thought to number between 50 and 249 mature individuals. The first photographic and video evidence of a live individual was publicly confirmed in July 2013.

A relatively small and short-tailed parrot, the species’ colour is predominantly a yellowish green, mottled with dark brown, blacks and yellows. Both sexes have this coloration. It is distinguished from the two superficially similar ground parrot species by its shorter tail and different range and habitat. Predominantly terrestrial, taking to the air only when panicked or in search of water, the night parrot has furtive, nocturnal habits and—even when it was abundant—was apparently a highly secretive species. Its natural habitat appears to be the spinifex grass which still dominates much of the dry, dusty Australian interior; other early reports also indicate that it never strayed far from water. It may also inhabit chenopod shrublands, eucalyptus woodlands, and mallee shrublands. One of the vocalisations of the night parrot has been described as a croak and identified as a contact call. Other calls, mostly short ‘ding-ding’ whistles, and a more drawn out whistle, have been recorded from Queensland and Western Australia.

Night Parrot – Wikipedia
Psittaculidae – Old World Parrots Family

Birds whose first name starts with “N”