Highlights From The Archives: Introduction

April 10, 2025 by Lee

Mixed Flock of birds flying in a V Formation- Put together- ©Creative Commons

Highlights From the Archives

There are over 350 articles that have been published here on Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures over the years. Just thought I would share some of those posts. The main theme when we started posting, was to introduce the different Birds of the Bible. So, let’s look back and see some of those. (And maybe update them some)

My goal in starting this blog was to introduce the birds that are mentioned in the Bible. It has grown from there and now there are many posts to review and different writers to check out.

The very first birds mentioned by name were just “every winged bird” or “every winged fowl.” God blessed them and told them to be fruitful and multiply. That was on the fifth day of creation.

“So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.”
(Genesis 1:21-23 NKJV)

Mixed Flock Flyiing 122717 Merritt Is NWR by Lee

Then in Genesis 2:19 the Lord God brought the birds to Adam and let him name them:

So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.” (Genesis 1:21-23 NKJV)

All the different kinds of the birds were placed on the ark to be kept alive. Then after the Flood, the birds were released and told to repopulate the earth. They did and today we have an array of beautiful avian wonders to watch and enjoy.

Today, I would like to show one of the very first blogs when we began:

February 16, 2008, by Lee

Introduction to Birds of the Bible

April’s Bird of the Month – Canary

April 3, 2025 by Lee

Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambica) ©Wiki

According to Birds and Bloom magazine site, there are Birds of the Month.

“You’ve probably heard of birth month gemstones and birth month flowers, but have you heard of birth month birds? It might come as a surprise to learn every month of the year has not only a representative jewel and flower, but also a bird. From owls to ravens, here are the birds that represent everyone’s birthdays.”

White-bellied Canary (Crithagra dorsostriata) ©WikiC

April: Canary

Perhaps it’s fitting that the bird for the month of Peeps candy is the canary. Some canaries live in the wild, but others, such as the domestic canary, are kept as pets. They’re not all yellow, either; some are red, while others are yellow and black. As part of the finch family, they are cheerful birds with a delightful song. To find them in the wild, you’d need to go to the Canary, Madeira or Azores Islands.

Like canaries? Discover more small yellow birds you should know.

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/birth-month-birds/

Forest Canary (Crithagra scotops) ©WikiC

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psalms 8:3-9 KJV)

Black-throated Canary (Crithagra atrogularis) ©WikiC

Other birds that come from the Canary islands that aren’t Canaries but are yellow. They are all very cute and adorable, in my opinion.

Canary Island Chiffchaff

Southern Grosbeak-Canary (Crithagra buchanani) ©WikiC

Canary Islands Stonechat (Saxicola dacotiae) ©WikiC

Previous Articles that mention Canarys:

The Rescue of the Canary Bird

SAFETY MONITORING by Canaries, Crayfish, and Brook Trout

Finches at Feeder This Morning

Canaries are part of the Finch Family

Sunday Inspiration – Finches III

Sunday Inspiration – Thraupidae – Flowerpiercers, Sierra Finches, Plus

Gideon

Bird of the Month – February’s Parrot

March 22, 2025 by Lee

Bird-Wings-Wing-Colored-Ara-Parrot-©Maxpixel

February: Parrot

According to Birds and Bloom magazine site, there are Birds of the Month.

“You’ve probably heard of birth month gemstones and birth month flowers, but have you heard of birth month birds? It might come as a surprise to learn every month of the year has not only a representative jewel and flower, but also a bird. From owls to ravens, here are the birds that represent everyone’s birthdays.”

Wordless Birds

Hawk’s Wisdom Is From Whom?

December 26, 2024 by Lee

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) by Daves BirdingPix

The other day while I was filling my gas tank, I looked up and spotted a Hawk flying overhead. He (or she) kept flying back and forth slowly. I have no clue as to what kind of hawk it was, but wondered which verses mentions the hawk? We have written about hawks many times here on the blog, and know it is one of the Birds of the Bible.

Job 39:26 is a great verse that asks a very thought-provoking question.

“Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?” (KJV)

I have Bible Gateway loaded on my computer and brought up that verse and asked to show all the various Bible versions. Looking through the various ways of asking or questioning God about His hawks was interesting. As I read through the various versions, it makes us realize how little we know about The Creator’s Wisdom.

Raptor Bird of Prey, Juvenile Red Tailed Hawk profile, William Wise

Here are some of those questions:

ASV

Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth,

AMP

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,

CSB

Does the hawk take flight by your understanding

CEB

Is it due to your understanding that the hawk flies,

CEV

Did you teach hawks to fly south for the winter?

EASY

Was it your wisdom, Job, that taught hawks how to fly? No! You could not teach them to fly towards the south in winter.

GNT

Does a hawk learn from you how to fly when it spreads its wings toward the south?

Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) ©WikiC

MSG

“Was it through your know-how that the hawk learned to fly, soaring effortlessly on thermal updrafts? Did you command the eagle’s flight, and teach her to build her nest in the heights, Perfectly at home on the high cliff face, invulnerable on pinnacle and crag? From her perch she searches for prey, spies it at a great distance. Her young gorge themselves on carrion; wherever there’s a roadkill, you’ll see her circling.”

WYC

“Whether an hawk spreading abroad his wings to the south, beginneth to have feathers by thy wisdom? (Be it by thy wisdom that a hawk haveth feathers, and spreadeth his wings towards the south?)”

I’m very thankful that the Lord instructs the Hawks do spread their wings and come down here to Florida!! Especially in the winter!!

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Birds of the Bible Hawks
Birds of the Bible – Hawk Migration
Birds of the Bible – Hawks and Wisdom
Waterman Bird Collection – Hawks and Owls
Ian’s Bird of the Week – Spotted Harrier
Hawk Photos
Hawk Videos
Raptor ID
Raptor Overview
Nave’s Topical Bible – Hawk

Is There a God?

Birdwatching Thru The Bible – Birds Mate For Life

October 5, 2024 by Lee

Birdwatching Thru The Bible – Birds Mate For Life

While reading through an article about animals mating for life, they listed these birds:

11 Animals That Mate for Life

Bald Eagles

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by AestheticPhotos

“As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings,”
(Deuteronomy 32:11 NKJV)

Bald Eagles (from the above article)

“Although Benjamin Franklin once disparaged (possibly in jest) the bald eagle’s “bad moral character,” America’s national bird upholds a high standard for family life by (mostly) remaining faithful. Following a kamikaze courtship ritual in which two birds lock talons and tumble end-over-end until they nearly hit the ground, the male and female settle into a period of domestic bliss marked by dad’s willingness to undertake incubation and feeding duties. The “divorce” rate for these birds is less than 5%, according to scientists. And while they spend large chunks of the year alone, bald eagles mark their fidelity with a shared long-term commitment to nest building: One such home put together by an eagle couple in Florida was found to measure 9.5 feet long and 20 feet deep. It holds the record for the largest bird’s nest ever documented.” (The largest bird’s nest was built by a pair of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and possibly their successors, near St Petersburg, Florida, USA and measured 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) wide and 6 m (20 ft) deep. It was examined in 1963 and was estimated to weigh more than two tonnes (4,409 lb).)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Aesthetic Photos

Atlantic Puffins

Atlantic Puffins by Bill Boothe, MD in the Isle of Mull Scotland

Gentoo Penguins

Calgary Zoo – Gentoo Penguins ©Inside Edition

Albatrosses

Laysan Albatross with chick

Most likely there are other birds that pair up for life but I thought you would enjoy seeing these.

See a few previous articles about these birds:

Bald Eagle Blessing

“A” is for Avocet and Albatross: “A” Birds, Part 1, by James J. S. Johnson

Sunday Inspiration – Austral Storm Petrels and Albatrosses

Ian’s Bird of the Moment – Gentoo Penguin

Atlantic Puffins on the Isle of Mull, Scotland

Six Word Saturday – Next Day God Prepared A Worm

September 28, 2024 by Lee

Birds Learning About Worms ©BirdNestLive

“And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered.” (Jonah 4:6-7 NKJV)

Jonah was angry and the Lord kept showing him compassion in this chapter. I am very thankful that the Lord shows us compassion.

More Daily Devotionals

Birdwatching Thru the Bible – Mottled Ducks

September 26, 2024 by Lee

Mottled Duck in Backyard

While eating supper, a couple of Mottled Ducks came up in the yard looking for food. Normal situation as many ducks and other birds come to the feeders. Yet, this is the first Mottled Duck this fall. They migrate down for the winter and we were surprised to see them already.

Working on the Birdwatching Thru the Bible series for posts gave me an idea. Wonder if I could start with a known bird, a.k.a. Mottled Duck, and find a reference to them in the Bible? Sort of reverse Birds of the Bible.

After searching for “Duck” and other birds of that sort, Quess what? NO RESULTS! Then I went to All About Birds – Mottled Duck to check its scientific name.

Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula), ORDER: Anseriformes, FAMILY: Anatidae

Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) Male and Female ©WikiC

Quess what? NO RESULTS!! :0) Not surprised!!

Not to be detoured, I went back to the scriptures, and sure enough, they are in there.

“So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, AND EVERY WINGED BIRD ACCORDING TO ITS KIND. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.” (Genesis 1:21-23 NKJV)

Notice it said they were to “Be fruitful and multiply.” Come this winter when the “snowbirds” or “winter visiting birds” come down, we will notice their fruitfulness.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks across the pond in winter.

Is there a “correct” way to go birdwatching in the Bible? I doubt it. You can start with a verse in the Bible that talks about a specific bird or see a bird and try to find it mentioned in the Bible. Either way, you will discover the Great Creator of birds and His many promises to them and to us.

Birdwatching Thru the Bible – Introduction
Birdwatching Thru the Bible – Without Trying
Birds of the Bible – Menu of previous Birds of the Bible posts
Wordless Bird – Green-tail Sunbird

Sandra’s Challenge Reviewed

September 23, 2024 by Lee

For the last 7 days I have reposted the very first attempts at Sandra Connor’s challenge back in 2016. I trust you enjoyed viewing (or re-viewing them).

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) by Robert Scanlon

Lee’s One-Word Monday – Sing!

Lee’s Two-Word Tuesday – Birds Fly

Baby Chick Peeping Out From Under His Mom’s Wing – CC

Lee’s Three-Word Wednesday – Under His Wings

Dusky Broadbill (Corydon sumatranus) Â©WikiC Mike5

Four Word Thursday – His Mouth Was Opened

Lee’s Five-Word Friday – Wonders Which You Have Done

Bald Eagle – San Diego Zoo

Lee’s Six Word Saturday – Mount Up With Wings Like Eagles

Lee’s Seven-Word Sunday – 1/24/16 (Repost)

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Lilac-breasted Roller @Answersafrica

Sandra’s Challenge was for three weeks, and we completed that. If you remember the Looking Back and Looking Ahead post in August, my birdwatcher adventures have slowed down, but the desire to continue the blog is still active. After reviewing these first 7 post, I thought I’d do some more new ones. Quess What? I realized that there have been a whole lot of these posted since that challenge. There went that Idea!! :)

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14-17 KJV)

With prayer and review of past posts, there will be a “new/old” set of articles coming out. While I’m working on that, thought you might enjoy seeing more of the previous one word – seven word posts. Stay tuned!

ABC’s of the Gospel

(I used the Lilac-breasted Roller to show there are so many more of the Lord’s Avian Wonders to learn about)

Lee’s Five-Word Friday – Wonders Which You Have Done

September 20, 2024 by Lee

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Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) by Judd Patterson

Wonders Which You Have Done

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Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.
(Psalms 40:5 NASB)

Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) by Judd Patterson

Sandra’s New Kooky Challenge

(This is a repost of Lee’s Five-Word Friday – 1/29/16)

New material. Here is another member on the Mango family. I still say “What wonders which You have done.”

Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis) by Dario Sanches

What will you do with Jesus?

Four Word Thursday – His Mouth Was Opened

September 19, 2024 by Lee

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HIS MOUTH WAS OPENED

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“And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
(Luke 1:64 KJV)

(Repost of Lee’s Four Word Thursday – 11/17/16)

Additional Photos 2024

Dusky Broadbill (Corydon sumatranus) ©WikiC

More Daily Devotionals

Wordless Bird – Green-tail Sunbird

Sunday Inspiration – Frigatebirds, Gannets and the Booby II

September 15, 2024 by Lee

Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) by Ian

“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.” (Psalms 121:3 KJV)

We are introducing you to the Suliformes Order which has four families. The first two families are fairly small, so we will cover them today.

The Frigatebirds belong to the Fregatidae Family and only have one genus, the Fregata. There are five species, the Ascension, Christmas, Magnificent, Great, and the Lesser Frigatebirds.

Frigatebirds (also listed as “frigate bird”, “frigate-bird”, “frigate”, frigate-petrel”) are found across all tropical and subtropical oceans. The five extant species are classified in a single genus, Fregata. All have predominantly black plumage, long, deeply forked tails and long hooked bills. Females have white underbellies and males have a distinctive red gular pouch, which they inflate during the breeding season to attract females. Their wings are long and pointed and can span up to 2.3 metres (7.5 ft), the largest wing area to body weight ratio of any bird.

Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) imm. by Ian

Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) immature by Ian

Able to soar for weeks on wind currents, frigatebirds spend most of the day in flight hunting for food, and roost on trees or cliffs at night. Their main prey are fish and squid, caught when chased to the water surface by large predators such as tuna. Frigatebirds are referred to as kleptoparasites as they occasionally rob other seabirds for food, and are known to snatch seabird chicks from the nest. Seasonally monogamous, frigatebirds nest colonially. A rough nest is constructed in low trees or on the ground on remote islands. A single egg is laid each breeding season. The duration of parental care is among the longest of any bird species; frigatebirds are only able to breed every other year.

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) by W Kwong

The Gannets and Boobies make up the Sulidae Family. The bird family Sulidae comprises the gannets and boobies. Collectively called sulids, they are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and similar prey. However, Sula (true boobies) and Morus (gannets) can be readily distinguished by morphological and behavioral and DNA sequence characters. Abbott’s booby (PapaIt appears to be a distinct and ancient lineage, maybe closer to the gannets than to the true boobies. There are 10 species. The Morus genus has three species, the Northern, Cape and Australasian Gannets.

Abbott’s Booby (Papasula abbotti) by Ian

The Papasula genus consists of only the Abbott’s Booby.

Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) by Bob-Nan

The rest of the Boobies are in the Sula genus. They are the Blue-footed Booby [a favorite], Peruvian Booby, Masked Booby, Nazca Booby, Red-footed Booby [another favorite], and the Brown Booby. [Wikipedia, with editing]

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“Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” (Psalms 17:5 KJV)

“My Faith Still Holds” ~ Faith Baptist Church Orchestra
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(Sunday Inspiration – Frigatebirds, Gannets and the Booby was originally posted in 2017)

More Sunday Inspirations

Assurance: The Certainty of Salvation
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It’s A Wrap – New Jerusalem’s Twelve Foundation Stones II

September 3, 2024 by Lee

It’s A Wrap – New Jerusalem’s Twelve Foundation Stones II.

“10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
¹⁸And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. ¹⁹And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; ²⁰The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.” (Revelation 21:10, 18-20)

On February 16th, (2019) this journey or series was started. The last foundational stone, Amethyst, was introduced on April 11th. Trust you have enjoyed this series as much as I did putting it together. For those of you who have followed along, are you as amazed as I am about how beautiful the foundations of the New Jerusalem are going to be? Wow!

What was presented is no way near as beautiful as what we will be seeing in person. It was a human attempt to try to present these gorgeous stones and our fabulously Created Avian Wonders from our Lord. Here is a review of what the different stones are and the articles that went with this series.

Will you be there to see the glorious event happen?

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” (Revelation 21:1-6 NKJV)

Good News Tracts

Highlights From the Archives

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April: Canary

Canaries are part of the Finch Family

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February: Parrot

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Bald Eagles

Atlantic Puffins

Gentoo Penguins

Albatrosses

“A” is for Avocet and Albatross: “A” Birds, Part 1, by James J. S. Johnson

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Wonders Which You Have Done

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HIS MOUTH WAS OPENED

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“And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. (Luke 1:64 KJV)

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“And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
(Luke 1:64 KJV)