Category Archives: Birds

Mallefowl’s Incubators… by A. J. Mithra

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Mallefowl’s Incubators…

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) by Wikipedia

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) by Wikipedia

The Malleefowl is one of the three species of mound builders,
or Megapodiidae, found in Australia.
The birds are terrestrial and are distinguished by their habit of leaving eggs
to be incubated in sand or soil heated by the sun or volcanic action
or in mounds of rotting leaves built for that purpose, as Malleefowl do.
The Malleefowl is unique in that it is the only megapod
that makes its home in dry, inland scrub.

You are unique, one of a kind, because, GOD has created only one like you..
If a bird like Malleefowls can do what the other birds cannot do,
don’t you feel that you, whom GOD had created in HIS own image,
do greater things for HIM?
Come on, say,

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phillipians 4:13)

Malleefowl Mound ©Wikipedia

Malleefowl Mound ©Wikipedia

The Malleefowl has large and powerful feet,
which it uses to build enormous egg-incubating mounds.
In winter an area of ground is selected, typically a small open space
between the stunted trees of the mallee.
A depression, measuring about three metres across and just under a metre deep,
is scraped in the sandy soil.
An egg-chamber is constructed at the bottom of the mound.
The male does this by raking backwards with his feet.
(See video by Peter Nash of a Malleefowl working on mound)
GOD has given powerful feet for these birds… But, for us…?
HE has given us knees for survival…
Those who kneel before GOD can stand before anything…
It needs faith to kneel before GOD…

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
(Psalm 95:6)

In late winter and early spring he will begin to collect organic matter.
Raking sticks, leaves and bark into wind-rows for up to 50 metres around the hole
he will build it into the nest mound rising up to 1.2 metres above the ground level
and with a diameter up to 8 metres.

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) Mound by Wikipedia

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) Mound by Wikipedia

The amount of litter in the mound will vary.
It may be mostly organic material, mostly sand, or somewhere in between.
After rain, he turns and mixes the material to encourage decay.
The timing varies with temperature and rainfall.
Throughout the breeding season the male has to ensure that the temperature
inside the mound is maintained at about 33°C – 91°F
The male puts his head into the mound and it is thought that he uses
his tongue to measure the temperature.
He must then either add or remove sand from the mound,
according to the temperature within it and the season.

In spring, much heat is given off by the rotting organic material
and the temperature needs to be reduced.
At dawn, the male rakes off the sand covering the litter,
and after allowing enough heat to escape he refills the hole with cool sand.
In summer, the male needs to protect the eggs from the heat of the sun.
He adds more and more sand to the mound, which absorbs the sun’s warmth.
Then, in the cool of the morning, he removes the sand and scatters it in the colder air.
When the sand has cooled down he puts it back on the mound.
During the cooler temperatures of autumn, the mound needs to be warmed up.
To do this the male digs almost all of the soil away in the morning,
spreading it out to be warmed in the sun.
Throughout the hottest part of the day, he places hot layers of sand on the mound,
so that as the sun goes down the nest has been rebuilt and is warm for the night.

From where did these amazing birds learn to maintain constant temperature?
Who taught them to use different materials for different seasons?
We say that we are filled by the Holy spirit but how are we in spirit?
Are we able to maintain the same temperature all through the week?
Or, we are just as hot as an oven, only in a Sunday service or a crusade?
These birds are so receptive to different season..
Are we receptive to the spirit?
These birds make it a point that they check the temperature and keep it constant..
Is our walk with GOD as constant as it was when we first accepted HIM in our lives?
GOD is very particular about maintaining a constant temperature….
That is why HE says,

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

Without maintaining a constant temperature, how can we expect our dreams to hatch?

While the male is keeping the temperature of the mound constant,
the female is busy laying eggs and helping with the digging.
Generally an egg is laid every four to eight days.
The female lays about 15 to 24 eggs in a season, although that number can be as high as 32.
The number varies with the availability of food.
Incubation time depends on temperature and can vary from between 50 and 100 days.
Hatchlings use their strong feet to break out of the egg,
then lie on their backs and scratch their way to the surface.
They struggle hard for five to ten minutes to gain 3 to 15 cm at a time.
After resting for an hour or so they start for the surface again.
It takes anywhere between 2 and 15 hours for them to make it all the way
out of the mound…

Though it takes so long to hatch, theses birds never lose their focus on the eggs,
always working hard to maintain a constant temperature..
We all have laid wonderful eggs, as again I mean, dreams..
But, are we working hard towards a constant focus on GOD,
so as to maintain a constant temperature?
Some of us maybe so dejected that our dreams are just dreams…
Some of us may ne wondering why it is taking so long for GOD,
and would have lost hopes too…
Here is a beautiful and a powerful verse for them from the Bible…

He hath made everything beautiful in his time:…. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Don’t be discouraged, your dreams have not turned rotten,
GOD still has them in HIS incubator…Your miracle is on its way,
Receive it in Faith…

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Have a blessed day!

Yours in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at:  Crosstree

See Also:

Interesting Things-Only God Can Make an Instinct
Malleefowl by Wikipedia
Malleefowl
The Remarkable Malleefowl

Doves and Pigeon Pages Updated

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Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) by Ian

Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) by Ian

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)

I have been working away updating the Doves and Pigeon pages. Since the Dove and the Pigeon are Birds of the Bible and we recently did an article about their eyes and voice, “Birds of the Bible – Dove’s Eyes and Voice,” figured it was time to update those pages. Please check the following links for information on the Doves and Pigeons:
The main Doves and Pigeons page

Dove and Pigeon Photos

Dove and Pigeon Videos

Columbidae Family page

I am not finished as there are 321 Pigeons and Doves in the family and it will take quite awhile to round up photos for them. Stay posted as more photos are added. I am very thankful for all the photographers and videographers who have given their permission to use their photographs.

Master Builder’s Master Builders… by AJ Mitra

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Master Builder’s Master Builders…

Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) Nest w/eggs by Nikhil Devasar

Birds are capable of grand engineering feats.
But are they engineers?
Not in the way you might think.
Just as birds know how to fly,
they know how to build a nest without instructions
or apprenticeship. It’s a matter of instinct.

Birds craft their nests without consciously thinking about it.
How then did some species of birds develop
such well-engineered, elaborate nests?

Horned Larks nests showed a significant northern bias
In orientation angle and were 49% shaded in the early afternoon,
the hottest part of the day.
A northern nest orientation ensures maximal shading
By the grass tuft to the south,
May protect nests from cool evening winds,
And provides increased daytime ventilation of the nest
through exposure to prevailing winds.
In addition, shade may also help conceal nests from predators.

From where did these birds learn to choose the location to build their nests?
Have we ever thought about the direction in which we need to have
the front door of our house?
Is our choice based on location or direction of the house?

When JESUS becomes our direction, HE gives the best location..

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)

Pectoral Sandpipers nest on the arctic tundra, often near water. The nest is lined with grass, moss and lichens.
They do not use lining materials according to local availability.
Instead, relative use was correlated with a material’s insulative quality when wet and they therefore use lining materials
appropriate to minimizing heat loss
given their damp breeding environment.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) by Robert Scanlon

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) by Robert Scanlon

Female Blue Tits gather lavender, yarrow, curry, mint
and other scented plants for their nests shortly after laying eggs,
and continue to do so until the chicks leave home.
They are real botanists and do a great job exploiting their environment to protect their chicks..
The birds make a pot-pourri of 10 aromatic plants from the 250 species in their habitat.
Many of the chemicals in these plants ward off bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and insects.

Our nest is covered by the blood of JESUS and no harm shall enter…

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)

Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) by Daves BirdingPix

Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) by Daves BirdingPix

Common Waxbills are small African finches
select carnivore scat as a material to include in, on,
and around their nests to reduce predation risk…

A South American Ovenbird may take months
to fashion one nest from clay or mud mixed
with bits of straw, hair, and fibers.
The tropical sun bakes the walls brick-hard.

Bald Eagles, which use sticks, some two inches thick
and several feet long,
to make nests sturdy enough to support a human adult.
Chimney Swift using saliva as glue to help support its nest.

Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) nests by Bob-Nan

Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) nests by Bob-Nan

Baya Weaver nests in colonies of up to 20-30 pairs, usually in trees near freshwater and open ground. Their nests hang from a branch and look like an upside-down flask. A long tube leads to a side entrance, making it difficult even for snakes to enter the nest.
Nests are made entirely out of strips of grass that the birds collect by cutting
a notch in some tall grass, then stripping off a 30-60 cm long piece. A newly-made nest is green with fresh grass and turns brown as the grass dries. A bird may make up to 500 trips to complete a nest.

GOD has given us a home and a family with a purpose….
Most of us are trying hard to be like others and to live like others…
HE loves us as we are, so, let us live the way HE wants us to live…

Sparrows never try to live like Eagles. Do they?
If we are a sparrow, so be it and if we are an Eagle, so be it..
After all, a sparrow cannot live like Eagle and an Eagle cannot live like a Sparrow…

I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. (Isaiah 13:12)

Bird nests vary from a simple accumulation of materials on the ground
to elaborate refuges in or on secluded & elevated substrates.
Nest construction and placement are correlated with flight ability.
Some birds create a simple depression in the ground to harbor their incubating eggs.

The progression of nest complexity moves from cryptic ground nests
to simple elevated nests..
Birds which constructs elevated nests in a bush or tree
or on a cliff or rock ledge tend to be better fliers than simple ground nesters.

You maybe wondering why GOD has placed you as a ground nester
while you desire to be an elevated nester…
You may be wondering why you have not got a place you feel that you deserve…
May be GOD feels that you would get hurt if you are an elevated nester..
Or maybe HE feels that you are not best equipped to be in a higher place…

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1Peter 5:6)

GOD had HIS nest in heaven and because HE loved us so much,
HE stirred up HIS nest and wandered without a nest to be crucified for our sins…
So that HE may nest in us…

HE needs a nest, that is why HE is knocking at the door of your heart….
Do you have a place for HIM to nest?
Please note that HE is building an eternal nest for us live with HIM forever and ever.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

Your’s in YESHUA,

A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Birds of the Bible – Swan Loyalty

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Black Swan nest at Lake Morton

Black Swan nest at Lake Morton

Dan and I went to Lake Morton in Lakeland. The Swans were building nest all over the place. When we were there several months back, one of the couples was just starting their nest. Now it is quite huge and they have even put a fence around it.

Swans are one of the Birds of the Bible listed in Deuteronomy 14:16 and Leviticus 11:18 as being one of the unclean birds that the Israelites were not to eat.

And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle (Leviticus 11:18 KJV)

Here is an excerpt about the Swans and their loyalty to each other. This is from Creation Moments:
(I Corinthians 7:10) “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.”

“Most water fowl are faithful to one mate over long periods of time. However, the swan is a champion of marital fidelity.

Mute Swan on Nest at Lake Morton

Mute Swan on Nest at Lake Morton

In North America, they are called Whistling Swans or Tundra Swans. Another member of the same species is usually found in Europe and Asia, where it is called Bewick’s Swan. Researchers report that each has a unique pattern of yellow and black on its bill, making individuals easy to identify. This allowed researchers to trace their lives over many years.

These beautiful creatures have relatively long life spans. One individual was traced for 26 years. Typically laying four eggs in nesting season, they breed for most of their lives. They are highly territorial. In a face-off for food or nesting area, the largest male is usually the winner. When there is a disagreement, the males face each other while their mates cheer them from the sidelines. Single swans enjoying a nice discovery of food are often driven off by couples. Couples are faithful for life. Researchers say that they have recorded no cases of divorce among successfully reproducing couples. Nor do they report any case of marital infidelity among swans. If a mate is lost, the survivor often takes over a year to settle down with another mate. In one case a survivor waited for six years.

Marital fidelity is also God’s instruction to humans. Today many factors are allowed to challenge marital fidelity. Often infidelity before or after marriage is portrayed as simply normal. But if swans can manage fidelity, we humans have no excuse for infidelity.”

For more information, go to the Birds of the Bible – Swans Page
Experts stunned by swan ‘divorce’ at Slimbridge wetland
Bewick’s Swans aka Tundra Swans

Ovenbirds – Ground Singers by A J Mithra

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Ovenbirds – Ground Singers

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) by Kent Nickell

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) by Kent Nickell

Using bird songs to find the population of birds,
according to the team conducting the study of a
more accurate estimate of bird population numbers
is reached when using this technique.
The bird song used in the study that employed
this latest technique is the Ovenbird, a small warbler found in North America.
Researchers gathered their data by recording the bird’s chirping.
Four microphones were used to record the birdsong
and the team combined the sound information and then
employed a computational method in which to convert
the recordings to give a more accurate estimate of the density
of the birds in certain areas..

If the same method is used in church, i am sure,
researchers would be fooled, cos,
we have more of silent churches than of singing churches..
But, Bible says,

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. (Psalm 41:1)

Most of us fail to understand that GOD loves our noise and not our voice..

JESUS did ground level ministry…
HE asked Zachaeus to come down from the tree
before offering to go with him to his house…

People feel proud to sing in the choir seated high above the ground..
Jonah praised from the whale’s belly and GOD delivered him.. (Jonah chapter 2)
Nebuchadnezzar praised from his lowly place
and GOD delivered him.. (Daniel chapter 4)
Don’t we need to learn to sing praises even from a lowly place
like these Oven birds?
Let us learn to sing not only from the ground
but also sing when we are aground…

A small, inconspicuous bird of the forest floor,
the Ovenbird is one of the most characteristic birds of the eastern forests.
Its loud song, “teacher, teacher, teacher,” rings through the summer forest,
but the bird itself is hard to see
Neighboring male Ovenbirds sing together.
When one male starts singing, the second will join in immediately after.
They pause, and then sing one after the other again, for up to 40 songs.
The second joins in so quickly that they may sound from a distance
as if only one bird is singing.
Ovenbirds rarely overlap the song of their neighbors…

Joshua and his men were silent for six days in unison
And they shouted together in unison…
Their oneness brought them victory…
Your silence at the presence of the LORD is worship you know?
Paul and Silas sang in unison and their praise shook the prison and broke their chains…
We have been singing in church for ages but still nothing of this sort
has happened..Why?
Is it because, we still overlap our neighbors’ song?
Is it because, we still haven’t learned to sing together as one like these birds?

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11)

Have a blessed day!
Yours in YESHUA,

A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Ovenbirds in the Parulidae – New World Warblers Family of the Passeriformes Order

Video of an Ovenbird by Robert Schaefer (IBC)

Worthen’s Sparrow – Lost, but found.. by A.J. Mithra

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Worthen's Sparrow (Spizella wortheni) ©SFSeattle

Worthen's Sparrow (Spizella wortheni) ©SFSeattle

Worthen’s Sparrow (Spizella wortheni)
was originally discovered in the United States,
where just a single bird was caught on 16 June 1884,
near Silver City, New Mexico.
Video of Worthen’s Sparrow Singing
No Worthen’s Sparrows have since been captured in the country,
where it is now thought to be extinct.
Formerly, the bird also ranged over much of the Mexican Plateau.
That makes it one of the rarest sparrows in North America.
What is more, although flocks of the sparrow are sometimes seen in winter,
but its summer habitat was unknown

Worthen’s Sparrows do not migrate, but they move on
from nesting sites as soon as the breeding season ends.
Over the past 30 years, the sparrows have only been seen
in a 25km squared area in northeastern Mexico,
These historical records also suggested that
the sparrows like to breed in valleys full of desert scrub
and grassland habitat also filled by prairie dogs.

A team of researchers from BBC targeted areas of similar habitat,
particularly searching around the La Soledad valley
in the municipality of Galeana,
home to one of Mexico’s most important prairie dog locations
and found the species in Mexico after nearly 125 yrs..

GOD knew where to find Moses,
HE knew where to find Zacchaeus..
No matter how far away you’re from GOD or
how deep you’ve sunk into problems,
GOD knows where to find you, cos you are too precious
for HIM to abandon you..

We were lost, so HE climbed up the cross to find us..
GOD has kept you among Lions and serpents to glorify
HIS name through you ….

These birds which dwell among prairie dogs
seems to remind the words of King David, which says,

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; (Psalm 139:8-9)

These birds are confined to open, arid shrub-grassland at elevations of 1,200-2,450 m
where breeding sites have been found in associations of :

1. Tarbush whose leaf extracts is an important source of bactericidal compounds
against multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis.
2. Creosotebush, which is a virtual pharmacy for Native Americans
and the steam from the leaves was inhaled to relieve congestion.
It was also used in the form of a medicinal tea
to cure such ailments as flu, stomach cramps, cancer, coughs, colds, and others.
3. Fourwing Saltbush which gives cover and protection from winter cold and summer sun within its branches
and
4. Short Grassland…

GOD has created us and chosen us to reveal
HIS power through us…

The dwelling place of Worthen’s Sparrow is among
the shrub , whose trees are used for medicinal purpose..
Where ever Peter and Paul went, people received healing…
Do we heal people through words and deeds or……?

When JESUS, the word dwells in us and we in HIM,
our life shall heal and should heal all those who are around us..

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:20)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Wordless Birds

Interesting Links:
Greg Lasley’s Worthen’s Sparrow
Worthen’s Sparrow – Bird Life International
Emberizidae – Buntings, New World Sparrows & Allies

Interesting Things – Anna’s Hummingbird

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SmileyCentral.com

New Avian Speed Champion Discovered

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

“A peregrine falcon diving toward its prey reaches a relative speed of 200 body- lengths per second. This is close to the 207 body-lengths that the space shuttle travels as it enters our atmosphere. Thus, the peregrine falcon was thought to easily be the fastest dare-devil bird on Earth.

Anna's Hummingbird by Dave's BirdingPix

Anna's Hummingbird by Dave's BirdingPix

Scientists have now discovered that a little pink male hummingbird called Anna’s Hummingbird is the real Top Gun among the birds. As part of its mating ritual, a male hummingbird will try to impress a female with his speed and acrobatics. First, the male will fly up to about 90 feet above the ground. Then, he begins a power dive. As he nears the female, he pulls up, ascending again. During that near-miss pull-up he experiences more than nine times the force of gravity. His relative speed during descent is 385 body-lengths per second. That’s almost twice the peregrine falcon’s relative speed, it’s faster than the space shuttle entering the Earth’s atmosphere and is more than twice the relative speed of a jet fighter running with afterburners!

The wonders of God’s creation are still being discovered, and Creation Moments still loves to make them known to our listeners. But God’s greatest wonder is His love for us though His Son, Jesus Christ. We are thankful that this wonder is revealed to us in the Bible.

Prayer: Father, I give You thanks for the wonders You create, but I especially give You thanks for the wonder of salvation. Amen.

References: Science News, 7/4/09, p. 7, Susan Millius, “Hummingbird pulls Top Gun stunts.”

From Creation Moments ©March 24, 2010

Hermit Warbler – The worshiper.. by A. J. Mithra

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Hermit Warbler – The worshiper..

The Hermit Warbler lives in the tops
of some of the tallest trees on the planet…
It is more easily heard than seen while they forage for hidden insects,
or as they pluck berries from a dense grove of evergreen holly trees.

Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis) by Daves BirdingPix

Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis) by Daves BirdingPix

Here again we have another bird who loves
to dwell among the holly trees like the Azores Bullfinch…
They are heard but not seen, cos, they dwell in high places…

Adam and Eve chose a different hiding place after they sinned..
GOD could hear them but cannot see..
If JESUS comes in search of us, where will he find us?
Where is your hiding place?
Can we boldly proclaim like Psalmist?

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. (Psalm 119:114)

Where have we set our affections?
Do we beseech JESUS who was lifted high for our sins?

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Hermit Warblers are most often found in mature coniferous forests,
from sea level to the mountains.
During breeding season,
they are most common in stands over 30 years old,
and are generally absent from stands under 20 years old.
They are generally found in the interior of large forests,
high in the canopy…

How do they know the age of stands?
From where did they receive this wisdom?
Do you feel that you lack in wisdom?
Here is a secret,

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

During migration and post-breeding,
Hermit Warblers are commonly found in mixed flocks.
When foraging they hop about the foliage,
moving from the trunk outward to branch tips
and then starting back at the trunk.
They also glean items from the foliage
while hovering, and will fly out to catch aerial prey.
Hermit Warblers can hang upside-down
to glean from the undersides of leaves and twigs.
Their preference for high, dense foliage
makes them difficult to spot,
but they can be heard singing regularly during the breeding season.
Males arrive on the breeding grounds before females.
They establish and defend territories by singing…

These birds know the secret of defense…
Our praise is the greatest defense against any attack
that satan may plan..
GOD loves to dwell among our praises,
and that is why Prophet Nehemiah appointed singers to
guard the walls of the city; you can read that in
the book of Nehemiah chapter 7…

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:10)

Have a blessed day!

Yours in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

See more of A. J.’s articles.

Azores Bullfinch and the Holly Tree… – by A. J. Mithra

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Azores Bullfinch and the Holly Tree…

The diet of the Azores Bullfinch
comprises of at least 37 different plants..
Their diet presents marked seasonal variations,
from invertebrates and herbaceous
and fleshy-fruit seeds in summer
and autumn to fern sporangia, tree seeds,
fern fronds and flower buds in winter and spring.
The bird needs a mosaic of vegetation types,
and seems heavily dependent on flower buds
of Ilex perado, Holly, at a time of food scarcity..

Azores bullfinch - BBC 2008-03-20@Pedro Monteiro

GOD has provided us with different food
for different seasons, so that,
we may stay healthy and fit..
These birds provide excellent example
of how we should use the food resources
provided by GOD for mankind…
GOD has even provided us with a menu
for our dining table in Leviticus chapter 11…

Found from 300 to 800 meters above sea level, This bird is confined to part of the native cloud forest in eastern S. Miguel
Exotic vegetation such as plantations
of Japanese Red Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica),,,

These birds seems to remind us about
how GOD went with HIS people in their journey
through the wilderness as a pillar of cloud….

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way,and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light,to go by day and might.” Exodus 13:21

During winter storms these birds often take refuge in hollies,
which provide shelter, protection from predators and food…

These birds seem to remind us about how
we always have to praise the LORD
like the leaves of these trees which always point skyward..
These evergreen trees provides
perfect protection and its flowers and fruits
provide food for these birds..
JESUS, the ever green tree is not only
our protector but also our provider…
The holly fruit reminds us of the drops of blood
which JESUS poured from the garden of Gethsemane
till HE was pierced in HIS side…
When JESUS becomes our everything
we lack nothing…

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” Psalm 34:10

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

please visit us at: Crosstree

Interesting Things – Birds’ Unique Leg Structure Says No Evolution

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SmileyCentral.com

“Birds’ Unique Leg Structure Says No Evolution

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21 KJV)

Countless television programs, museums, textbooks, and popular articles tell us that the birds evolved from dinosaurs. It now appears that this claim is even less credible!

Bird Structure

Bird Structure

Researchers at Oregon State University have made a fundamental discovery about how birds breathe. Unlike other land animals, birds have immovable thigh bones, and they walk and run by bending their knees. All other land creatures can move both their thigh bone as well as bend their knees to walk and run. This included the dinosaurs and other theropods from which birds supposedly evolved. Birds need twenty times as much oxygen as cold-blooded animals. To supply this need, birds are designed with unique lungs and supporting musculature. Researchers found that if birds had the usual muscle structures and could move their thighs, their high-performance lungs would collapse. Even the evolutionists at Oregon State University said that this makes it unlikely that birds evolved from dinosaurs, and they added that birds appear earlier in the fossil record than the theropods from which they supposedly evolved!

There are other transition problems associated with bird evolution that are seldom mentioned. For example, reptiles are cold-blooded and birds are warm blooded; yet, this major transition has seemingly been overlooked.

Of course, the Bible has always taught that birds were specially made by God and did not evolve from any other creature.

Prayer: Lord, You have designed all things well. Do not let Your people be fooled by those who deny Your works. Amen.

References: Oregon State University (2009, June 9), “Discovery Raises New Doubts About Dinosaur -Bird Links. Science Daily. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2009/06/090609092055.htm.”

From Creation Moments ©March 22, 2010

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World Sparrow Days – by A. J. Mithra

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March 20th is declared as the “WORLD SPARROW’S DAYS”, hence this article…

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) by Nikhil

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) by Nikhil


Sparrows are loosely monogamous.
Both the female and the male take care of the young ones,
though the female does most of the brooding

JESUS too expects us to be monogamous,
loyal and faithful to HIM as HE is to us..

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Mathew 6:24 KJV)

They can swim to escape from predators,
although they are not considered to be water birds.
You maybe wondering how to get out of a tough situation,
Remember that we too have an escape route from predators,
and that JESUS, the LIVING WATER…
GOD has designed you to do what others can’t do…
If a sparrow can do what a water bird can,
we too can…

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) by Nikhil Devasar

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) by Nikhil Devasar


The difference between a male and a female sparrow
is that the former has a reddish back and a black bib,
whereas the female has brown back with eye stripe.
Do we remember how JESUS was broken for us on the cross?
How HIS back turned BLOODY RED so that we maybe healed?
Do we really deserve to be loved so?

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5)

The nest building is initiated by an unmated male,
who begins the construction while displaying it to the females.
The females do assist in nest building, but are less active than the male.

JESUS is busy building a mansion from gold and silver,
to take back the church, HIS BRIDE for HIS wedding…
Are we preparing for our wedding with HIM
as HE is busy preparing for the bride?

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.  (Revelation 21:18)

If a sparrow can exhibit the qualities of its Creator,
how much more will our Creator expects of us whom HE has created in HIS own image?

Happy Sparrow’s day….

Yours in YESHUA,
A J Mithra

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Birds of the Bible – Fowl (Birds) of Every Wing

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In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. (Ezekiel 17:23 KJV)

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) Left Wing by Lee at Lowry Park Zoo

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) Left Wing by Lee at Lowry Park Zoo

The phrase “Fowl (or Birds) of Every Wing” caught my interest. Remembering the article I recently wrote about the Sunbittern with it’s beautiful wings, I thought that might be neat to show some of the other bird’s fancy wings. Also, since I have been busy updating the Birds of the World pages, I thought that showing different birds from around the world would be interesting for you. But, first, what is that verse referring to anyway?

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible summarized Ezekiel 17:23 as a future prophecy referring to Christ,
“In the mountain of the height of Israel – He shall make his appearance at the temple, and found his Church at Jerusalem.
Shalt bring forth boughs – Apostles, evangelists, and their successors in the Gospel ministry.
And bear fruit – Multitudes of souls shall be converted by their preaching.
And under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing – All the nations of the earth shall receive his Gospel.
In the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell – Trust in him alone for salvation, and be saved in their trusting.”

Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) by Nikhil Devasa

Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) by Nikhil Devasa

“But it left room for the sovereignty of God, who would bring down the high tree and exalt the low tree, who would dry up the green tree and make the dry tree to flourish. His grace would take the little forgotten branch of the house of David and raise it up in Israel upon the mountain of His power, where He would cause it to become a goodly cedar, bearing fruit, and sheltering all that would seek the protection of its shadow. All the powers of the earth should know the word and the works of Jehovah.” (John Darby’ Synopsis)

“Both the Jews and Gentiles will be gathered into it.” (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)

“and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell; by whom are designed converted sinners of all sorts, and of all nations, Jews and Gentiles; compared to birds, because weak, defenceless, and timorous; exposed to danger; and wonderfully delivered; are subject to wander and go astray; and for their chirping and warbling notes: now these may be said to “dwell” under the “shadow” of the “branches” of this “goodly cedar”, Christ and his church; that is, under the ministration of the word and ordinances, which is a very delightful and refreshing shadow, a very safe and fruitful one, Son_2:3; and here saints choose to dwell, and determine to abide and continue, as it is their interest and happiness so to do; and what a flocking and tabernacling of these birds here will there be in the latter day, where they will chirp and sing in the height of Zion? Isa_66:4; compare with this Mat_13:32; where our Lord is thought by some to allude to this passage.” (John Gill’s Exposition)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Female by Nikhil

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Female by Nikhil

“under it … all fowl — the Gospel “mustard tree,” small at first, but at length receiving all under its covert (Mat_13:32); the antithesis to Antichrist, symbolized by Assyria, of which the same is said (Eze_31:6), and Babylon (Dan_4:12). Antichrist assumes in mimicry the universal power really belonging to Christ.” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown)

“under it … all fowl — the Gospel “mustard tree,” small at first, but at length receiving all under its covert (Mat_13:32); the antithesis to Antichrist, symbolized by Assyria, of which the same is said (Eze_31:6), and Babylon (Dan_4:12). Antichrist assumes in mimicry the universal power really belonging to Christ.” (Life Application Study Bible)

There are other commentaries I could quote, but these are sufficient to understand that these “fowl of every wing” represent those who from around the world have accepted or will accept Christ the Lord as their Savior. (Gospel Message) We have shelter and refuge under this tree. There was a tree of life in the Garden of Eden, but access to it was forbidden because of sin, but two verses in Revelation speak of future access to that tree.

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)
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14 KJV)

All commentary quotes are from e-Sword which is a free Bible program. More of the “Fowl of Every Wing” will be covered in future Birds of the Bible.