Category Archives: Birds

Fantastic Bird Carver

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I received a request to show this short documentary about a lady, Lona Hymas-Smith, who is a great woodcarving artist. After viewing the YouTube by HappyShiver, I decided to share it on our blog. She is a fantastic artist.

Lona’s niece made this video. I am sure she is very proud of her aunt’s talent. Hope you enjoy watching her at work. What a great gift the Lord has given her. Check out her website at: http://icarvum.com/

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. (Proverbs 17:8 KJV)

Oilbird – Mission With A Vision

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Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Bob-Nan

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Bob-Nan

Oilbird – Mission With A Vision ~ by a j mithra

Oilbird or Guacharo lives in northern South America from Guyana to Peru. The Oilbird ranges locally across much northern South America and down the Andes all the way to Bolivia.

Their plumage is cinnamon brown, with small, white spots. The Oilbird presents a somewhat “hen-ish” or owlish appearance, observant and hesitant when trolling branches; puffy and somnolent when asleep. It is mainly reddish-brown with white spots on the nape and wings. Lower Oilbird parts are brownish color to neutral white. The stiff tail feathers are a rich chestnut brown spotted with white on either side.

This is a large bird at sixteen to nineteen inches with a wing span of three feet. The Oilbird’s flattened hooked bill is surrounded by dark brown bristles up to two inches long.

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Ian

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Ian

It is a bird of tropical and subtropical primary forests. Colonies leave the caves at night to fly to fruiting trees. Figs are often consumed but the Trinidad population has been documented eating over 36 different kinds of fruit. The seeds of these fruit are spread widely after passing through the bird’s system, and the Oilbird is thus an important component of the tropical ecosystems. The forest depends on these fruit eaters — and other animals with similar behavior such as fruit bats — to continue in existence.

  • The existence of Church depends on how far and wide we sow the word of God…
  • God has asked us to spread the gospel over all the earth…

But, the question is have we touched lives which dwell next door or at least to the person who sits next to our table in office ? First of all, we don’t even know the person who sits next to us in church, isn’t it? We’ve been hearing a lot about brotherly love and love your neighbor as thy selves..

  • But, have we ever asked ourselves if we truly love our self?
  • Most so called believers are going through self inflicted injuries and self pity…
  • Maybe that is the reason we are not able to lead a fruitful life..
  • Our fruits are not the fruits which God expects from us…
  • Unless we are fruitful and our lives testify God’s work in us, we may not be able to sow seeds of faith among our fellow beings…

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them (Mathew 7:18-20)

It is a seasonal migrant, moving from breeding caves to fertile wild land fruit trees. Oilbirds plump up possibly half their body weight again before the breeding migration, an intelligent habit as caves will provide little nutrition and parents will not want to leave the nest.

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Judd Patterson

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Judd Patterson

Seasonally, the oilbird lives in forests to gather nutrition and store up for breeding. Then the oilbird will migrate from the forest and woodland to within breeding areas within caves. Both parents share the task of incubating the clutch of two to four eggs for about 33 days, and the nestlings stay put for up to four months.

Oilbirds feed their young exclusively on fruit pulp. This is very unusual because an all-fruit diet would not normally provide adequate nutrition or baby birds. The young nestlings grow fat (even half as heavy again as their parents)—causing the literal downfall of many!

These birds seem to know the importance of storing nutrition for migration and breeding that’s why they provide adequate nutrition for their babies…

  • We as Christian parents, do we take care to nourish our children with spiritual food?
  • We tell them stories about the five who went to buy oil at the last minute..
  • But are we insisting upon our kids to get ready to meet the King?

These young oilbirds are heavier than their parents, how healthy are our children in spirituality?

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (III John : 1)

The wings of the oilbird control aerial maneuvers. The Oilbird’s small feet are somewhat useless, other than for positioning and alignment to vertical surfaces.  The oilbird’s hovering, twisting flight allows the bird to navigate the route and “hallways” of the caves. Oilbirds echo-locate (like bats) inside caves but use their huge eyes once they leave the communal roosts.

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) ©©Flickr - dominic sherony

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) ©©d.sherony

They apparently have excellent night vision. Rows of bristles protect the eyes both above and below. They fly with fast with primary tips widely spaced (like New World vultures) but have the ability to fly slowly or even hover. They can range quite a distance in search of fruit. Radio telemetry studies have shown their normal range per night is 40 kms (25 mi) but they have traveled as far as 150 km (93 mi) in a single night. They may find fruit by smell. These birds travel so long in a single night in search of fruits..

This reminds of how Jesus had come from heaven to earth in search of fruits from us isn’t it?

  • He expects us to give fruits at all seasons…
  • Do we have fruits to offer 24 x 7 or just seasonal?

And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matthew 3:10)

Studies have shown that all the fruit they eat is spicy or aromatic when ripe. Oilbirds nest in large colonies on high, rocky ledges, often a good distance into the cave. They build their cone-shape nests from a mixture of regurgitated fruit pulp, their droppings and undigested seeds. Oilbird nestlings retain food in their intestines for longer than normal, enabling them to extract all the nutrients which they need in order to thrive on fruit. For instance, they are able to extract 80% of the lipids (fats) from their diet.

  • We eat lots of the THE FIRST, which is the WORD OF GOD…
  • But, do we extract all the nutrients of THE WORD by meditating on what we read?
  • Do we eat THE WORD in haste? Or is it a ritual that we need to practice every day?
  • The Word of God has the power to heal, to cleanse, and to encourage and so on…
  • How do we handle it?

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4: 12)

Just like bats (and many sea mammals), Oilbirds emit clicking calls in rapid succession and listen to the returning echoes. This means that, in the pitch blackness of their cave home, they can fly around without bumping into the cave walls or each other.

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Bob-Nan

Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) by Bob-Nan

At dusk, they leave the cave to find food and their echolocation system works together with their keen smell and super-sensitive vision, helping them to snatch nuts and small fruits in mid-flight without needing to land. In fact it is thought that they never perch during foraging trips, using instead their ability to hover while feeding.

The eyes of oilbirds are highly specialized for their unique lifestyle. While not apparently designed for distinguishing colour, it has recently been discovered that they are extraordinarily sensitive to light—a great advantage to a bird that ‘breaks all the rules’ by being nocturnal. This incredible light-sensitivity is achieved by each of the oilbird’s eyes having a large pupil, enabling them to gather the maximum amount of light and millions of densely packed rods, the  photoreceptor cells.

God had created these birds with excellent night vision for them to travel long distance in search of food..

But, we are so privileged that we have God Himself as our light to show us the way during our dark times..

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

These unique Oilbirds dwell in caves, has dolphin-like sonar, navigates like a bat, has eyes like a deep-sea fish, can hover like a kingfisher, finds its food by smell and can be boiled up to make oil…

The eyes of these birds are extremely sensitive to light and that is the reason that they are able to break all rules by being a nocturnal…

This world will see us also as very special when we are sensitive to THE LIGHT..

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. (Luke 11:34-36)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

What a neat bird, a j. I am also going to add this to the “Formed By Him” series. The Creator has really designed this very unique and useful bird for His Glory.

The Oilbirds are the only family members of the Steatornithidae – Oilbird Family which are in the Caprimulgiformes Order. They keep company there with the Frogmouths, Potoos and Nightjar families.

Birds In Hymns – Flee As A Bird

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Birds In Hymns – Flee As A Bird ~ by Mary S. Shindler

…A Psalm of David. In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? (Psalms 11:1 NKJV)

Words & Music ~ by Mary S. Shindler, 1842

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) chasing Western Great Egret (Ardea alba) by Ray

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) chasing Western Great Egret (Ardea alba) by Ray

Flee As A Bird


Flee as a bird to your mountain, thou who art weary of sin;
Go to the clear flowing fountain where you may wash and be clean.
Haste, then, th’Avenger is near thee; call, and the Savior will hear thee;
He on His bosom will bear thee; O thou who art weary of sin,
O thou who art weary of sin.

He will protect thee forever, wipe every falling tear;
He will forsake thee, O never, sheltered so tenderly there.
Haste, then, the hours are flying, spend not the moments in sighing,
Cease from your sorrow and crying: The Savior will wipe every tear,
The Savior will wipe every tear.

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He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 25:8 NKJV)

for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17 NKJV)

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. (Revelation 21:4 NKJV)

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

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Miami University Professors Essentially Admit Evolution Has Connections to Dismal Science and Math Scores

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Here is an interesting article from Ken Ham at Answers in Genesis. Thought it was very interesting and worth reading. – Lee

Miami University Professors Essentially Admit Evolution Has Connections to Dismal Science and Math Scores.

Birds In Hymns – With Songs and Honors Sounding Loud

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Birds In Hymns – With Songs and Honors Sounding Loud – Isaac Watts

Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. (Psalms 147:1 NKJV)

Words – By Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David, 1719
Music – By Bedford, William Wheale, 1729
Alternate Tune Belfield by William Gilchrist, 1895

With Songs and Honors Sounding Loud


With songs and honors sounding loud,
Address the Lord on high;
Over the heav’ns He spreads His cloud,
And waters veil the sky.

He sends His showers of blessing down
To cheer the plains below;
He makes the grass the mountains crown,
And corn in valleys grow.

Northern Raven (Corvus corax) by Ray

Northern Raven (Corvus corax) by Ray

He gives the grazing ox his meat,
He hears the raven’s cry;
But man, who tastes His finest wheat,
Should raise His honors high.

His steady counsels change the face
Of the declining year;
He bids the sun cut short his race,
And wintry days appear.

His hoary frost, His fleecy snow,
Descend and clothe the ground;
The liquid streams forbear to flow,
In icy fetters bound.

When from the dreadful stores on high
He pours the rattling hail,
The wretch that dares this God defy
Shall find his courage fail.

He sends His Word, and melts the snow,
The fields no longer mourn;
He calls the warmer gales to blow,
And bids the spring return.

The changing wind, the flying cloud,
Obey His mighty Word:
With songs and honors sounding loud,
Praise ye the sovereign Lord.

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… a Psalm of David. I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. (Psalms 9:1-2 NKJV)

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power. (Psalms 21:13 NKJV)

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power. (Psalms 21:13 NKJV)

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

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Formed By Him – Music Making Birds

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Do Birds Truly Make Music? (from Creation Moments)

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. (Song of Solomon 2:12)

The Bible speaks of bird calls as songs, as most of us do. However, evolutionary theory has led some scientists to say that we are merely assigning human meanings to the calls of birds. They say that the bird calls have nothing to do with real music.

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) by Ian

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) by Ian

Ornithologists have known for some time that bird songs use the same musical scales as our music. Decades ago it was noted that some of Beethoven’s work could be heard from the European blackbird. The music was the same as the opening rondo of Beethoven’s “Violin Concert in D, Opus 61.” Since these birds pass their songs from generation to generation, Beethoven could have gotten the lilting music from the forefathers of today’s European blackbird!

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) by Quy Tran

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) by Quy Tran

The songs of some species, like the song sparrow, follow the form of a sonata, beginning with a strong theme, then the theme is musically played with, and for a finish, the original theme is then repeated. Mozart had a starling as a pet. Once, having heard Mozart play his “Piano Concerto in C Major,” the starling not only imitated it, but changed the sharps to flats! Mozart exclaimed, “That was beautiful!” When the starling died, Mozart held an elaborate funeral for it. Eight days later he wrote, “A Musical Joke” which contains the same elaborate structure found in starling song.

Do birds make true music, as the Bible says? Contrary to what some evolutionists say, Beethoven and Mozart certainly thought they did.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for the gift of music and I await the music of heaven. Amen.
Notes:
Science News, 4/15/00, pp. 252-254, “Music without Borders.”

©2010 Creation Moments

Lee’s Addition:

From – A Musical Joke?

“Mozart was not alone in incorporating bird sounds in music. According to Baptista:

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) by Ian

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) by Ian

  • In Beethoven’s sixth symphony, the song of a Yellowhammer is followed by those of a quail, then a cuckoo.
American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) on Thistle by Fenton

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) on Thistle by Fenton

  • A Goldfinch inspired Vivaldi’s flute concerto “Il gardellino.”
  • Bela Bartok’s third piano concerto was inspired by birds in North Carolina, where Bartok was living during the composition.

Blue-eyed Cockatoo (Cacatua ophthalmica) ©Wikipedia

  • The Cuckoo, BTW, is the most popular bird in Western music, said Baptista, and even appears in a Johann Sebastian Bach fugue — in counterpoint with a chicken!
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) by Judd Patterson

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) by Judd Patterson

  • The Canyon Wren in the Ansaborego desert of California sounds so much like Chopin that you could consider it “a student of Chopin,” Baptista said.

The rest of the avian orchestra
Beyond that two-part voice box, birds also use their bodies to make sound in other ways. Some even make instruments!

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) by Ian

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) by Ian Montgomery

  • While courting, the Palm Pockatoo, for example, breaks a branch, carves it into a drumstick, and bangs a hollow log as a signal to females that he’s on the prowl. Providentially, he stores the stick to use it again, said Baptista.
  • The European Snipe, on the other hand, dives to force wind through its feathers, which act as reeds.
Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) by Judd Patterson

Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) by Judd Patterson

  • Williamson’s Sapsucker in the Sierra Nevada drums on tree trunks in specific rhythms that vary in what Baptista called “local dialects.”

The Lord has created beautiful birds and has given each their own songs and sounds. Many have listened and learned from those sounds. As you have read above, some have turned those lessons learned into beautiful music.

But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? (Job 12:7-10 NKJV)

He sends the springs into the valleys; They flow among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. (Psalms 104:10-12 NKJV)

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) by Ray

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) by Ray

The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. (Psalms 28:7 NKJV)

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. (Psalms 96:1-4 NKJV)

See Also:

See Mozart ‘borrowed tunes from his versatile starling’

More Formed By Him articles

Wordless Birds

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Formed By Him – Silver Birds

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Silver ©USGOV

Silver ©USGOV

Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag (Latin: argentum, from the Indo-European root *arg- for “grey” or “shining”) and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal.

Silver has long been valued as a precious metal, and it is used to make ornaments, jewelry, high-value tableware, utensils (hence the term silverware), and currency coins. Today, silver metal is also used in electrical contacts and conductors, in mirrors and in catalysis of chemical reactions.

Silver, in the form of electrum (a gold-silver alloy), was coined to produce money in around 700 BC by the Lydians. Later, silver was refined and coined in its pure form. Many nations used silver as the basic unit of monetary value. In the modern world, silver bullion has the ISO currency code XAG. The name of the United Kingdom monetary unit “pound” (£) reflects the fact that it originally represented the value of one troy pound of sterling silver.

Jewelry and silverware are traditionally made from sterling silver (standard silver), an alloy of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. In the US, only an alloy consisting of at least 90.0% fine silver can be marketed as “silver” (thus frequently stamped 900). Sterling silver (stamped 925) is harder than pure silver, and has a lower melting point (893 °C) than either pure silver or pure copper.

We know that Adam named the animals and birds starting in Genesis and people are still naming them. Silver has been known about for centuries and it is no wonder that critters and birds have their silver color described with “silver” in their names. Checking out the latest I.O.C. list of birds (Ver 2.6) you will find 32 birds with “silver” eyes, beaks, bills, backed, breasted, capped, crowned, eared, rumped, throated, and tipped. Also found are “silvery” cheeked, flanked, fronted, and throated birds. Below is a list of the 32 “Silver Birds”, plus a slideshow of the photos of them that I could obtain.

Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps) by Ian

Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps) by Ian

In the King James Version of the Bible, there are 282 verses that have silver mentioned 320 times. (per e-Sword). Abraham and Sarah are the first mentioned to be rich in silver and jewels of silver (Gen 23), Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver (Gen 37:28), and it was a silver cup that was in found in Benjamin’s bag when he had been taken to Joseph in Egypt many years later (Gen 44:2).

In Exodus, they were warned not to make gods of silver or of gold (Ex. 20:23), they used silver to make sockets and fillets for the tabernacle (Ex. 26, 27), they made cunning works in gold and silver (Ex. 31) and they were to give it with willing heart.

Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, (Exodus 35:5 KJV)

Many other articles were made of silver in the service of the LORD throughout the Bible. King Solomon had the navy bring gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks to him (1 King 10:22). Even the mining of silver is mentioned in Job 28:1.

Maybe because silver is used and referred to so often that the Lord, when He Created the birds, wanted us to see Silver Birds and think of Him, His Word, His Creation, His Son, and the price of His betrayal. Verses like:

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalms 12:6 KJV)

The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. (Psalms 119:72 KJV)

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:4-5 KJV)

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (Proverbs 8:10-11 KJV)

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (Proverbs 8:10-11 KJV)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (Proverbs 25:11 KJV)

Silver-eared Leiothrix (Leiothrix argentauris) by Ian

Silver-eared Leiothrix (Leiothrix argentauris) brightly colored-by Ian

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:12-13 KJV)

Fullfilled: And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:15 KJV)
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. (Matthew 27:3-8 KJV)

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6 KJV)

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (1 Corinthians 3:11-12 KJV)

Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) by Ian

Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) by Ian

In Doves and Pigeon Updated this verse was mentioned: “Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” (Psalms 68:13 KJV) Even though today this bird, the Wompoo Fruit-Dove, doesn’t have “Silver” in it’s name, maybe the Lord gave them their colors so we would remember the following verses and truth.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21 KJV)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Silver Oriole Oriolus mellianus
Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera
Silver Teal Anas versicolor
Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Silver-backed Tanager Tangara viridicollis
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo
Silverbird Empidornis semipartitus
Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus
Silver-capped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus richardsii
Silver-crowned Friarbird Philemon argenticeps
Silver-eared Honeyeater Lichmera alboauricularis
Silver-eared Laughingthrush Trochalopteron melanostigma
Silver-eared Leiothrix Leiothrix argentauris
Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia
Silvereye Zosterops lateralis
Silver-rumped Spinetail Rhaphidura leucopygialis
Silver-throated Bushtit Aegithalos glaucogularis
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon Ducula luctuosa
Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis
Silvery Kingfisher Ceyx argentatus
Silvery Pigeon Columba argentina
Silvery-cheeked Antshrike Sakesphorus cristatus
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes brevis
Silvery-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula luctuosa
Silvery-fronted Tapaculo Scytalopus argentifrons
Silvery-throated Jay Cyanolyca argentigula
Silvery-throated Spinetail Synallaxis subpudica
African Silverbill Euodice cantans
Grey-headed Silverbill Odontospiza griseicapilla
Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica

Best I can do for the Silver-capped Fruit Dove is a video by del Hoyo on Internet Bird Collection.

Wordless Birds

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Interesting Things – Dinosaur Blood

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Dinosaur Blood by Creation Moments

Job 40:15
“Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.”

A short while ago, Creation Moments reported the case of blood cells being discovered in a fossilized T. rex bone. Today, we report on another case. While most fossil bones have lithified, or turned to stone, occasionally identifiable bones are found that are only partially lithified.

Scientists had been studying the fossilized upper leg bone of a T. rex they date at 68 million years. The study consisted of dissolving the minerals from the fossilized bone with slightly alkaline solutions. They were completely surprised, for what remained was a soft, pliable material that proved to be high in carbon. Closer study of the pliable material revealed what appeared to be a network of blood vessels. Researchers were then amazed to find that this network was very similar to the networks found in modern ostrich bones. What’s more, they found bone cells as well as red blood cells in this material. Such findings would never be expected in 68-million-year-old biological material, but the researchers could offer no other interpretation for what they saw. They are now hoping that the discovery might shed light on dinosaur physiology and metabolism.

Researchers are still puzzled at how 68-million-year-old biological material could be preserved for so long. Of course, the obvious answer is that the material is not nearly that old and that dinosaurs were even part of human history.

Prayer:
Father, I thank You for all the wonders of Your creation, including the great dinosaurs. Amen.
Notes:
Science News, 3/26/05, p. 195, S. Perkins, “Old Softy.”

To see more Interesting Things, check out the PLUS section.

Birds of the Bible – Falcon – Caracara

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Northern Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) by Dan at Viera Wetland

Northern Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) by Dan at Viera Wetlands

The first Birds of the Bible – Falcons blog introduced the North American members of the Falcon – Falconidae Family. Then the next article, Birds of the Bible – Falcons II, introduced more of the 65 Falcon family members, mainly just the falcons, and provided links to videos of them.

The Caracaras are a part of the Falcon – Falconidae family and these would also be included in the references given in the Bible. The Falcons and their kind are on the “do not eat” list in Leviticus and Deuteronomy and again mentioned in Job.

And these you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, the falcon of any kind, (Leviticus 11:13-14 ESV)

the kite, the falcon of any kind; (Deuteronomy 14:13 ESV)

That path no bird knows, Nor has the falcon’s eye seen it. (Job 28:7 NKJV)

Chimango Caracara by Daves Birding Pix

Chimango Caracara by Daves Birding Pix

Caracaras, there are 10 of them, are also included  in the birds of prey category. We saw our first Northern Crested Caracara along the interstate in Texas, not far from the well-known King Ranch. The Northern Crested Caracara is 23 inches long and has a 50 inch wingspan. The wings are broad and it has a long tail. They have long necks and long legs. They spend much of their time perched or walking on the ground, but can run swiftly. They hang out with vultures at carcasses and many times steal their food.

Male and females are similar. We have these here in central Florida. They are seen on the ground or perching on fence posts and tops of trees. Often seen walking along roadsides. Scratches like chicken for insects. The AOU split this species in July, 2000 from the South American species, Caracara plancus.

The Caracaras are:

Black Caracara (Daptrius ater) – S. America
Red-throated Caracara (Ibycter americanus) – C. & S. America
Carunculated Caracara (Phalcoboenus carunculatus) – Ecuador & Colombia
Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) ©WikiC – S. America
White-throated Caracara (Phalcoboenus albogularis) – S. America
Striated Caracara (Phalcoboenus australis) – S. America
Northern Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) by Dan – N. America
Southern Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) – S. America
Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) – C. & S. America
Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) – S. America

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As you can see above, they are only in the Western Hemisphere

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Some information from Thayer Birding Software

Falcon Page

Caracara – Wikipedia

Gospel Message

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Macrocephalon Maleo – The Mute Missionary…

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Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) ©NowPublic

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) ©NowPublic

Macrocephalon Maleo – The Mute Missionary… ~ by a j mithra

The Maleo, Macrocephalon maleo, is a medium-sized (approximately 55cm long) blackish megapode with bare yellow facial skin, reddish-brown iris, reddish-orange beak and rosy salmon underparts. The crown is ornamented with a black helmet casque. The greyish blue feet have four long sharp claws, separated by a membranous web. The sexes are almost identical with a slightly smaller and duller female.

Voice several different vocalisations, including extraordinary loud braying, series of disyllabic rolls, and, in disputes, a duck-like quacking. Usually shy and often silent, except around nesting grounds, where occasionally crepuscular or nocturnal.

What can we learn from these birds? Silence?

  • Well, silence is the most powerful language..
  • If Jesus had not been silent on the cross, we wouldn’t have had redemption..
  • His silence has given us the assurance of life eternal…
  • How silent are we during our prayer time?
  • God says that there is a time to talk and a time to be silent…
Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) ©©Wong Dermayu

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) ©©Wong Dermayu

The God who created us in His own image is able to turn our silence into a powerful weapon you know?

Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment. Isaiah 41:1
Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. Zechariah 2:13

Like these birds, we as body of Christ need to be crepuscular and nocturnal as well..

  • David sought the Lord at all times and that was the reason he won favour from the Lord..
  • How is our relationship with God?
  • Do we seek Him at all times are only in times of trouble?

…….I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

The only member of the monotypic genus Macrocephalon, the Maleo is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The Maleo is monogamous, and members of a pair stay close to each other all the time. Its diet consists mainly of fruits, seeds, ants, termites, beetles and other small invertebrates..

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) egg©©Wong Dermayu

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) egg©©Wong Dermayu

It is found in the tropical lowland and hill forests, but nests in the open sandy areas, volcanic soils or beaches that are heated by the sun or geothermal energy for incubation. There are also megapode species that use fermenting compost to incubate their eggs. The Maleo’s egg is large, about five times as large as that of the domestic chicken’s.

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) pair digging©Mongabay.com

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) pair digging©Mongabay.com

The female lays and covers each egg in a deep hole in the sand and allows the incubation to take place through solar or volcanic heating. After the eggs hatch, the young birds work their way up through the sand and hide in the forest. The young birds are able to fly and are totally independent. They must find food and defend themselves from predators such as lizards, pythons wild pigs or cats.

  • Though these birds live close to active volcanoes, they still survive..
  • They did not run away from the heat of the volcano..
  • In fact they use the heat of the sand to incubate their eggs..
  • You may be in the midst of a hot situation..

Remember:

  • That God is not bent upon burning us but He wants to show how much He cares for us..
  • The same God who walked with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is still alive and is still an unchanging God..
  • Joseph’s brother did evil, but God turned him into a blessing to his brothers…

Our God is still able to change all the evil that had been done against us into blessings..

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:

Have blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at:  Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

Good job, a j, but you sure gave me a challenge trying to find photos for this bird. They are becoming extinct and I think the photographers who are willing to share their photos of the Maleo are also becoming extinct.

The Maleo is in the Megapodiidae – Megapodes Family of the Galliformes Order.

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Raining Red-winged Blackbirds

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Red-winged Blackbird at Bok Sanctuary

Red-winged Blackbird at Bok Sanctuary

Many have heard the news today about the many (4,000-5,000 at last count) Red-winged Blackbirds that they found in Arkansas. They fell from the sky on New Year’s Eve.

“The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesman Keith Stephens says the birds fell in an area about a mile long and a half-mile wide (1 1/2 kilometers long and 800 meters wide). The Commission said Saturday that it began receiving reports about the dead birds about 11:30 p.m. the previous night.

The birds fell over a 1-mile (2-kilometer) area, and an aerial survey indicated that no other dead birds were found outside of that area. Laboratories in Arkansas, Georgia and Wisconsin will examine some carcasses starting Monday.” (Foxnews.com)

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) female by Ian

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) female by Ian

The ornithologists are debating whether it was lightning or hail that hit the flock. At this time of the year they are in migration or gathered in flocks. I know here in Central Florida, the Red-winged Blackbirds have just begun coming back to my feeders after their summer in the north.

It is very sad and seems quite devastating to think about. I really enjoy watching them and especially have been challenged by trying to identify the female red-wing. One thing is for certain:

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 KJV)

I know they were not sparrows, but those verses apply to all the birds.

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are in the Icteridae Family which includes Oropendolas, Orioles and Blackbirds. There are 108 members and they are perching birds (Passeriformes Order)

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) by Ray

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) by Ray

The male Red-winged Blackbird has a red shoulder patch bordered by yellow or white and has black plumage. The female is brownish overall with heavy streaked underparts. The juveniles are similar to the female. They have sharply-pointed bills. They are about 8.75 inches (22 cm) long.

As I thought about them today, I imagined their summer up north with having the young and flying here and there gathering worms and insects to feed them. Then watched their young learn to fly and grow. Now, they may have been migrating down here to enjoy the winter. The Creator of them knew all about that and also knew this was going to happen.

Sad, yes, but what about us? Do we get busy with all of our activities, but forget that our lives are also in the Hands of the Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ?

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15 NKJV)

Quoted in yesterday’s sermon at Faith Baptist ~ “It is curious that people who are filled with horrified indignation whenever a cat kills a sparrow can hear that story of the killing of God told Sunday after Sunday and not experience any shock at all.” –Dorothy Sayers

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2010 in review

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The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 130,000 times in 2010. If it were an exhibit at The Louvre Museum, it would take 6 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 357 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 787 posts.

The busiest day of the year was September 28th with 617 views. The most popular post that day was South Lake Howard Nature Park.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were wiki.answers.com, birdsofthebible.wordpress.com, search.aol.com, mail.yahoo.com, and facebook.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for nature, elephant ear plant, dragonfly, parrot, and nature pictures.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

South Lake Howard Nature Park July 2008

2 comments

2

When I Consider! – Elephant Ears and Scarab Beetles September 2009

1 comment

3

Interesting Things – Dragonflies January 2009

2 comments

4

Birds of the Bible July 2008

0 comments

5

Life List of All Birds We Have Seen March 2009

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Thanks again to the Lord for His blessings on this blog. Thanks to all of you for stopping by to view this blog.