As we start the new series about the bird’s Scientific/Latin names, a verse came to mind about His name. Of course, that is referring to God, but I like the “What is His name” part. So, for now (unless some suggest a different one) that will be the name of these articles.
“Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?” (Proverbs 30:4 NKJV)
Varius means
If you go toBirds of the World – Species and the type the Scientific/Latin name, a list of those birds will show. “The specific epithet varius is the Latin word meaning “various”, “diverse” or “variegated” (Wikipedia)”. Here is the list of birds from “Birds of the World – with “varius“.
The IOC World Bird List 14.1 contains 11032 extant species (and 162 extinct species) classified in 44 Orders, 253 Families and 2,384 Genera. The list also includes 19,802 subspecies, their ranges and authors.
Before we can dig into these Latin/scientific names of birds, it is best to update the number of birds now listed by the I.O.C. Our last update here, which is out of date, was the List 9.2:
At the time those articles were written there were 10,758 living species. Now it contains 11,032. That doesn’t include all the subspecies. Not sure how much we will update this site, but I will refer to the new names and subspecies as we investigate the scientific/Latin names of birds.
Sumatran Laughingthrush (Garrulax bicolor) by Dan at Wing of Asia ZM
Here is a listing, with of all the current Birds of the World which is better than any list we could produce here.
The last few articles have been to lay the foundation for investigating some of these Scientific/Latin names for birds. Below are links to the experts in keeping track of the Avian Wonders:
While researching for a way to present birds from their Latin names, I checked out some of our previous posts that mentioned the naming of birds. There have been quite a few articles about this, and here is a fantastic one that William Wise wrote:
William said exactly what I was thinking “It’s all Greek to me!” He also explains about God’s Name. It NEVER changes.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) eating by Jim Fenton
How Birds are Named explains the modern naming system that is used for birds.
“Birds have two kinds of names. One is a common, vernacular, or popular name; the other is a technical or scientific name. The first is usually given to the living bird by the people of the country it inhabits. The second is applied to specimens of birds by ornithologists who classify them.
Common names in their origin and use know no law. Technical names are bestowed under the system of nomenclature established by Linnæus and their formation and application are governed by certain definite, generally accepted rules. The Linnæan system, as it is now employed by most American ornithologists, provides that a bird, in addition to being grouped in a certain Class, Order, Family, etc., shall have a generic and specific name which, together, shall not be applied to any other animal.
Our Robin, therefore, is classified and named as follows:
The Genus and the Species names are the ones that will be emphasized in the new series, (name to be determined, any suggestions?). The recent articles and the list below are listed to acquaint you with how the Genus and Species are used in the bird names.
Stay tuned!
“I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.”
(Psalms 50:11 NKJV)
On my last post, Our Loggerhead Shrike Again, I emphasized the Latin name for this bird. “In case you’re curious, the Latin name Lanius is Great Grey Shrike. The ludovicianus means “butcher” and laniare – “to tear to pieces.” They have been referred to at times a “butcher birds” because of what they do to their victims.”
While recently browsing through my many “dusty” bird books, I rediscovered my “Latin for Bird Lovers,” by Roger Lederer Carol Burr. It actually is quite interesting, even though I have never studied Latin or paid much attention to the scientific names of our beautiful birds we write about. We can all learn some new and interesting facts about these wonderful birds. Dr. Jim, (JJSJ) also agrees and is willing to adds some articles also. Maybe I can encourage some of our other contributors to join in.
As we all know, various birds migrate during parts of the year, and they do not have to carry passports or “flying licenses” to pass through different states or countries. Countries and even states have varying names for birds. Yet, we are all seeing the same avian wonder.
Latin for Bird Lovers by Roger Lederer & Carol Burr
Bird names also change over time, yet the Latin name or scientific name doesn’t (normally). I’ll be using this book, Latin for Bird Lovers by Roger Lederer & Carol Burr as one of the sources for some upcoming articles.
Here are some examples of how bird names have changed over the years. Imagine how hard it is today for the international groups like the I.O.C.’s World Bird List to report on the same bird’s names from various languages if it wasn’t for these Latin names.
Here are some examples of re-named birds (not from Latin) just here in our part of the world:
Stay-tuned as I, and others present some of our amazing Avian Wonders from their Creator. We’ll group them by their Latin naming. Or, by the current Scientific names. One thing is for sure, when Adam named the birds, he did not use Latin to help him. He most likely had the best assistance from their Creator.
“So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field…” (Genesis 2:20 NKJV)
Loggerhead Shrike on Bench outside our back patio door.
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)
While eating our supper this evening, our friendly Loggerhead Shrike showed up again. He landed on his favorite perch, the hook out in the yard. (these are older photos, who keeps a camera at the table?)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) on hook – by Lee Closeup
He and the Mockingbird takes turns using that favorite spot to land and watch for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We see both of them quite often, especially this time of the year.
In case you’re curious, the Latin name Lanius is Great Grey Shrike. The ludovicianus means “butcher” and laniare – “to tear to pieces.” They have been referred to at times a “butcher birds” because of what they do to their victims.
We have featured quite a few articles about this beautiful bird, and here is one, written by JJSJ, “Dr. Jim”, that tells and shows the “butcher bird” at work:
Thankfully, we haven’t found any of these kinds of catches hanging around in our yard!
Just thought I’d share our latest visitor to the yard. I’m sure he will migrate north soon, but hopefully we will see him in the fall again. I still never cease to be amazed by the Lord’s designs in His Creation!
Check out some of the many articles about this beautiful bird that we have written about before:
We considered a series on the State Birds, but as I have searched more about this topic, there are already many great sites to visit. So, I’ve decided to share links to those great websites, and then find another bird series to investigate.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have official birds. To become a state bird, it helped to be familiar, colorful, and have a punchy song. The Northern Cardinal perches as state bird in seven eastern states, the Western Meadowlark in six western states. Bluebirds – like this Western Bluebird – and goldfinches are mascots of another seven. The country’s most insistent songster, the Northern Mockingbird, holds down five states. And Washington, DC’s official bird? The shy Wood Thrush! Find out which bird is your state bird. Learn more about these state birds at Cornell’s All About Birds.
Oh, by the way, we are orginally from Indiana and the Northern Cardinal is their state bird.
“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:24 NKJV)
Here’s an interesting video of a friendly crow in Denmark who has befriended a youngster. Trust you will enjoy watching the interactions between them.
“For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.” (James 3:7 NKJV)
I believe this is a Hooded Crow.
Hooded Crow. Warren Photographic
The Hooded Crow, also called the scald-crow or hoodie, is a Eurasian bird species in the genus Corvus. Widely distributed, it is found across Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East. It is an ashy grey bird with black head, throat, wings, tail, and thigh feathers, as well as a black bill, eyes, and feet. Like other corvids, it is an omnivorous and opportunistic forager and feeder. Wikipedia
Dr. “Jim” (James J. S. Johnson) shared this with me and asked me (Lee) to post it. He’s tied up in a conference.
While looking back through our visitors this winter, I remembered the one bird who would appear to be ready for today, Halloween. Not that we celebrate it much, other than giving out candy to the kiddos in the neighborhood.
When Dan and I spotted this bird the first winter, I thought it was a Loggerhead Shrike. They, sometime two of them, usually land on a post out in the yard, but this time I caught him right outside the door on the bench arm.
Loggerhead or Northern Shrike on hook – by Lee Closeup
Today, while writing this post, and going to the All About Birds Loggerhead vs Northern Shrike page, I realized that this is a Northern and NOT my supposed Loggerhead. See what you think by clicking that link.
It’s never too late to learn something new. The part about the “mask that often does not cover the top of the bill,” is what made me take a double-take.
Close up of NORTHERN Shrike
As you can see, this was a post in progress as I put it together. Isn’t birding and learning about the Lord’s wonderfully created avian wonders great??? I’ve made my decision, and am changing the names on my photos. :0)
“Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.” (Job 9:10)
Have you had to change your mind about a bird you just knew what it was, and then it wasn’t? I JUST DID!!
Cormorants are Great; Great Cormorants are Really Great!
Dr. James J. S. Johnson
“But the cormorant [shalak] and the bittern shall possess it [i.e., the land of Idumea, a/k/a Edom]; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it; and He [i.e., the LORD, in judgment] shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.“
Isaiah 34:11
GREAT CORMORANTS in flight (Minnesota) photo credit: Bryce Gaudian
In some contexts, CORMORANTS are not deemed as indicators of blessing — as in Isaiah 34;11, where it is prophetically mentioned as an indicator that the land of Edom is catastrophically destroyed. However, in many other contexts, these magnificent birds are recognized as wonderful creatures whom God has equipped to live by bodies of water, both freshwater and seawater.
GREAT CORMORANT aloft (Minnesota) photo credit: Bryce Gaudian
Cormorants love to live by bodies of water. Cormorants are found busy hunting — darting (befitting the Hebrew noun shalak, in Leviticus 11:17 & Deuteronomy 14:17, translated “cormorant”, which matches the darting-like targeting movements) for food over and near coastlines, including the coasts of islands, such as the Hebridean isle of Staffa, which was reported earlier (on this Christian birdwatching blog), in the report titled “Birdwatching at Staffa: Puffins, Shags, and more”, posted at https://leesbird.com/2019/07/22/birdwatching-at-staffa-puffins-shags-more/ (July 22nd A.D.2019), citing Isaiah 42:12. [Regarding “cormorants” in the Holy Bible, see George S. Cansdale, ALL THE ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE LANDS (Zondervan, 1976), at page 175.]
Cormorants constitute a large “family” of birds; the mix of “cousins” include Crowned Cormorant (Phalacrocorax coronatus), Brandt’s Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus), Galapagos Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi), Bank Cormorant (Phalacrocorax neglectus), Neo-tropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis), Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis), Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis), Guanay Cormorant (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii, a/k/a Guanay Shag), Kerguelen Shag (Phalacrocorax verrucosus), Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps), Antarctic Shag (Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis). South Georgia Shag (Phalacrocorax georgianus), Campbell Island Shag (Phalacrocorax campbelli), New Zealand King Shag (Phalacrocorax carunculatus), Bronze Shag (Phalacrocorax chalconous), Chatham Island Shag (Phalacrocorax onslowi), Auckland Island Shag (Phalacrocorax colensoi), Rock Shag (Phalacrocorax magellanicus), Bounty Island Shag (Phalacrocorax ranfurlyi), Red-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile, a/k/a Red-faced Shag), European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus, a/k/a Pelagic Shag), Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus), Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Japanese Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capillatus), Olivaceous Cormorant (Phalacrocoraxolivaceus, a/k/a Mexican Cormorant), and Pitt Island Shag (Phalacrocorax featherstoni).
That’s a lot of cormorant “cousins”, worldwide! [For details on each of these “cousins”, see pages 116-136 of Jim Enticott & David Tipling, SEABIRDS OF THE WORLD: THE COMPLETE REFERENCE (Stackpole Books, 1997).]
SHAG (a type of Cormorant), at Staffa, Hebrides (Scotland) photo credit: Public Insta
Cormorants are famous “fishermen” along ocean coastlines, yet cormorants also thrive in inland freshwater habitats, such as over and near ponds and lakes, such as the Double-crested Cormorants that frequent inland ponds in Denton County, Texas, where they catch “fish of the day”.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT with fish photo credit: Bruce J. Robinson
Cormorants are generally described, by ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson, as follows:
Large, blackish, slender-billed water birds. Often confused with loons, but tail longer, bill hook-tipped. In flight, wing action is more rapid and axis of body and neck is tilted upward slightly (loon’s neck droops). Young birds are browner, with a pale or whitish breast. Flocks [of cormorants] fly in line or wedge formation very much like geese but they are silent. Cormorants often perch in uprightpositions on buoys or posts with neck in an S [posture]; sometimes strike a “spread eagle” pose. Swimming, they lie low like loons, but with necks more erect and snakelike, and bills tilted upward at an angle. Food: Fish (chiefly non-game). Nearly cosmopolitan [in range].
[Quoting Roger Tory Peterson, cited below]
[See Roger Tory Peterson, A FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF TEXAS AND ADJACENT STATES (Houghton Mifflin, 1988), page 10.]
Specifically, the Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritis) is perhaps the most common winter migrant of the cormorants; also, the Double-crested Cormorant is often seen in the coastline areas of Texas’ Gulf of Mexico shores.
GREAT CORMORANTS descending (Minnesota) photo credit: Bryce Gaudian
Have you ever watching a silhouetted cormorant — or two — or three — winging their way across the late afternoon sky? It is a wonder to behold!
GREAT CORMORANTS silhouetted against the sky photo credit: Bryce Gaudian
Now, try to imagine a dozen, or more, cormorants, flying in series. That’s a wondrous wonder to behold! That constitutes one of the “wonders without number” that Scripture refers to (in Job 9:10).
serial “line” of GREAT CORMORANTS in flight (Texas) photo credit: Bryce Gaudian
And now here is my closing limerick, about cormorants:
APPRECIATING HUMBLE CORMORANTS (AND SHAGS)
Cormorants are not known to brag,
If they’re so-called, or called “shag”;
They oft fly, in a line,
And on fish, they oft dine —
But cormorants aren’t known to brag.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS perching on posts photo credit: Mark Eising Birding
(Dr. Jim Johnson formerly taught ornithology and avian conservation at Dallas Christian College, among other subjects, and he has served as a naturalist-historian guest lecturer aboard 9 international cruise ships, some of which sailed in seawaters frequented by cormorants and shags. Jim was introduced to Christian birdwatching as an 8-year-old, by his godly 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Thelma Bumgardner.)
I would like to apologize for my lack of posting any articles since back in February of this year. (More explanation later.) What I am really thankful for is Dr. James J.S. Johnson, Dr. Jim, as Dan and I affectionately call him.
THANK YOU, DR. JIM!
Also a Hugh THANK YOU to all of you who have continued to stop by this blog. Many of you have read and commented of his articles and other previously published posts.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks feeding in yard.
Back in February, a number of health problems began, and it seemed like about the time I improved, some other issue came up. It seems that it has just been one thing after another. Needless to say between Doctor visits, physical therapy, medical test, using cane or walker, etc. etc., birdwatching has come to a halt other than my view out the back door.
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9)
That top photo about describes the lack of birds lately. Like many of you around the country and parts of the world, we have had some very high heat indexes. Plus, the wintering birds have not arrived yet.
Other than Muscovy Ducks and the neighborhood Robins and Doves, there hasn’t been much going on.
Lord willing, I trust that there will be more post from me. Now that I’m improving some, I will try to at least write more about God’s amazingly Created Avian Wonders. Stay tuned!
Thanks again to all our visitors to this blog and “Dr. Jim” for keeping us blessed by his great articles.
This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people who shall be created shall praise the LORD.
(Psalm 102:18)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (male) Charles J. Sharp / Wikipedia photo credit
Last weekend, I drove past a familiar Texas pond, where 11 years ago I saw a “common” black-feathered bird (i.e., Quiscalus mexicanus = Great-tailed Grackle, to be exact), and was then jolted by an “uncommon” (and somewhat-scary) realization – God could have made me a grackle!
Days later, during the summer of AD2012, I reported this important thought (and attitude fo gratitude) within an article [“Grackles and Gratitude”, ACTS & FACTS, 41(7):8-10 July 2012), posted at www.icr.org/article/grackles-gratitude ] about how uniquely and personally each one of us is, created by the Lord Jesus Christ, as exactly the specific individual that each one of us is.
When was the last time that you saw a bird—perhaps a grackle or a pigeon—and shuddered with the scary realization: That could have been me! Maybe you have never thought about a grackle that way. Yet it is true—God did not need to make us just as we are. He had many other options. God could have created each of us as a bird, a butterfly, or a basalt rock. God could have made you or me a uranium-bearing rock, a nudibranch, an ice worm, a quince fruit, an ultraviolet ray, or an egret.[Notice the acrostic in the previous sentence: U.N.I.Q.U.E.!]
Yet, He deliberately chose otherwise. He chose to make us one-of-a-kind humans. What a fearful and wonderful reality!…
Surely we should thank Christ for being our very personal Creator. So the next time you see a grackle, think thankfully for a moment, “That could have been me!” And be grateful to your Creator, who made you a unique, one-of-a-kind creation.
[Quoting JJSJ’s “Of Grackles and Gratitude”)
GRACKLE ON CATTAILS (BirdNote / Gary Leavens photo credit)
So, what an echo from yesteryear it was, last weekend, when I spied another “common” grackle (actually a Great-tailed Grackle, which is common in Denton County, Texas), ambling about the littoral cattails of that same pond that I drove by more than a decade ago.
Whew! What a journey the past 11 years have been, as I quickly recall and reconsider (and gratefully appreciate) God’s many personal and providential blessings unto me – including His kind and caring blessings that continue to make me the individual man I am – along with the many other blessings of His redemptive and always-sufficient grace, over those 11 years since that important icterid-aided insight.
Plus, the best is yet to come (Luke 10:20)! So, thinking of Psalm 102:18, I close this nostalgic memoir with a limerick:
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE, ON SEEING A GRACKLE IN THE CATTAILS
Some troubles, in life, we must tackle,
Threatening us, with harm, like a jackal;
Yet life, itself, we can face,
Since life, itself, is God’s grace —
Each of us, God could’ve made, a grackle!
COMMON GRACKLE on Cattail (National Park Service photo credit)
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 